News/Commentary

Abilene Christian Jumps To 12 in FCS Coaches' Poll, Montana Drops to 14

October 7, 2024 by AFCA.com

ACU moves up to No. 12 in this week’s AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl, while Central Arkansas drops one spot below to No. 13.

Abilene Christian got off to a hot start against then-No. 7 Central Arkansas, scoring on its first five drives of the game, building a 31-17 halftime lead. The Wildcats made it 41-24 in the second half before the Bears rolled off 10 straight points to pull within a touchdown. UCA had the ball with a minute left to go in the game, but ACU linebacker Will Shaffer recorded a game-clinching interception, sealing the 41-34 victory. .

South Dakota State beat then-No. 18 Northern Iowa, 41-3, solidifying their No. 1 spot and knocking the Panthers out of the rankings.

Likewise, No. 2 North Dakota State handled in-state rival North Dakota with ease, winning 41-17 and causing the Fighting Hawks to drop to No. 10.

Montana State remains at No. 3 after a 55-17 victory over Northern Colorado and will host No. 8 Idaho this coming Saturday.

The only other top 25 matchup this coming weekend has No. 16 Illinois State hosting new-No. 25 Missouri State.

South Dakota blanked Murray State, 59-0 and remains No. 4.

No. 5 Villanova handed Stony Brook a 42-24 loss.

Learn more at AFCA.com.

Rank School (1st votes) W-L Points LW
1 South Dakota St. (21) 4-1 644 1
2 North Dakota St. (3) 5-1 624 2
3 Montana St. (2) 6-0 600 3
4 South Dakota 4-1 552 4
5 Villanova 5-1 541 5
6 UC Davis 5-1 504 8
7 Mercer 5-0 464 11
8 Idaho 4-2 419 12
9 Southeast Missouri St. 5-1 404 13
10 North Dakota 4-2 401 6
11 Tarleton St. 5-1 383 14
12 ACU 4-2 332 17
13 Central Arkansas 4-2 291 7
14 Montana 4-2 290 9
15 UIW 3-2 288 15
16 Illinois St. 4-2 276 19
17 Richmond 4-2 214 21
18 William & Mary 4-2 197 10
19 Florida A&M 3-2 167 22
20 Sacramento St. 2-3 157 20
21 Rhode Island 4-1 139 25
22 New Hampshire 3-2 63 16
23 Weber St. 3-3 57 NR
24 North Carolina Central 4-2 52 NR
25 Missouri St. 3-2 50 NR

Dropped Out: Northern Iowa (18), Southern Illinois (23), McNeese (24)

Others Receiving Votes: Lafayette, 49; Northern Iowa, 47; Dartmouth, 32; McNeese, 31; Butler, 27; Jackson St., 27; Duquesne, 24; Stony Brook, 21; Harvard, 15; Chattanooga, 14; Lamar, 10; Monmouth (N.J.), 10; Southern Illinois, 9; Western Carolina, 6; East Tennessee St., 5; Columbia, 4; Nicholls, 4; Northern Arizona, 4; Davidson, 1; Drake, 1.