News/Commentary

FCS Coaches' Poll: Stony Brook Climbs To 20th, W&M Drops To 24

October 28, 2024 by AFCA.com

Stony Brook recorded their first win over a ranked opponent since 2021, taking down William & Mary, 35-13. The Seawolves’ entered the game ranked 24th and rise to No. 20 with the win. The Tribe were ranked 15th and drop to 24th with the loss. The Stony Brook defense was a huge difference in the game, limiting William & Mary to just 120 yards rushing and intercepting four passes.

North Dakota State continues to lead the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl, after a dominating 59-6 win at Murray State.

Idle Montana State stays put at No. 2.

South Dakota State stays at No. 3 after surviving rival South Dakota, 20-17, at home in overtime. The Coyotes only dropped one spot, from 4 to 5, with the loss, making way for UC Davis to climb into the 4 slot.

North Dakota was the only other casualty in the top 25 this week. Youngstown State kicked a field goal with 12 seconds to go in regulation, pushing the game into overtime at 34-apiece. The Fighting Hawks answered the un-ranked Penguins’ touchdown in overtime, but their two-point conversion pass fell incomplete and Youngstown won the upset, 41-40. The loss sent North Dakota fee-falling from 7th last week to 15th this week.

See: Congrove Computer Rankings (Top 129)

Learn more at AFCA.com.

Rank School (1st votes) W-L Points LW
1 North Dakota St. (24) 8-1 648 1
2 Montana St. (2) 8-0 620 2
3 South Dakota St. 6-2 602 3
4 UC Davis 7-1 559 5
5 South Dakota 6-2 534 4
6 Southeast Missouri St. 8-1 518 6
7 Tarleton St. 7-1 493 8
8 Montana 6-2 460 9
9 Central Arkansas 6-2 402 10
10 UIW 6-2 391 11
11 Idaho 6-3 356 12
12 Richmond 6-2 348 13
13 Villanova 6-2 316 14
14 Rhode Island 7-1 307 16
15 North Dakota 5-3 293 7
16 Mercer 7-1 282 17
17 Missouri St. 6-2 214 18
18 ACU 5-3 202 19
19 Illinois St. 5-3 180 20
20 Stony Brook 6-2 141 24
21 North Carolina Central 6-2 132 21
22 Dartmouth 6-0 106 22
23 Jackson St. 6-2 82 23
24 William & Mary 5-3 65 15
25 Chattanooga 5-3 63 25

Dropped Out: None

Others Receiving Votes: Duquesne, 34; UT Martin, 31; East Tennessee St., 29; Tennessee St., 20; Florida A&M, 5; Lamar, 4; Butler, 3; Drake, 3; Robert Morris, 3; Northern Arizona, 2; Harvard, 1; Stephen F. Austin, 1