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Lights slip out of NAIA Coaches Poll

For the second time in four weeks, the Montana State University-Northern football team has dropped out of the NAIA Top 25.

The newest NAIA Coaches Poll was released Monday night and had the Lights dropping from No. 22 last week, to not rated this week. Northern inexplicably didn't receive a single vote in this week's poll. The Lights lost a hard-fought battle to then No. 4 Carroll College, 37-21 last Saturday in Helena.

The Saints (4-1) meanwhile, moved up one spot in this week's poll. Carroll stands as the No. 3 team in the NAIA after winning three straight games since losing to Eastern Oregon last month.

The Mountaineers (4-1) tumbled to No. 17 in this week's poll after a shocking 51-17 loss to Rocky Mountain College at home last Saturday. EOU dropped eight spots in the poll because of the loss, while RMC moved back into the Top 25. The Bears (4-2), who are tied with Northern for second place in the Frontier Conference standings, moved back into the poll at No. 23. This is the third week Rocky has been ranked.

St. Xavier of Illinois remained atop the poll after a thrilling win over then No. Saint Francis of Indiana last Saturday. Mariani of Indiana moved up to No. 2 this week, while Saint Francis fell to No. 7.

UM-Western quarterback Zach McRae was named Frontier Offensive Player of the Week. McRae is a 6-foot, 220-pound, senior quarterback from Dillon. In Western's 55-16 win over Montana Tech, McRae was 17-of -26 passing for 301 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 25 yards and one touchdown on four carries.

Carroll's Thomas Robison earned defensive player of the week honors. Robison is a 5-foot-11, 205-pound, senior linebacker, from Pocatello, Idaho. In No. 4 Carroll's 37-21 win over No. 22 Montana State-Northern, Robison recorded four solo tackles, seven assisted tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups.

RMC's Nick Nell was named special team's player of the week. Knell is a 6-foot, 180-pound junior kicker from Lander, Wyo. In Rocky's 51-17 road win over No. 9 Eastern Oregon, Knell was 6-of-6 P.A.T.'s and was 3-0f -3 in field goals. He had four kickoffs for 269 yards and one 42-yard punt.

Northern, Rocky and Montana Tech all have byes this week, while Carroll visits Dickinson State, Eastern Oregon travels to Southern Oregon and UM-Western goes to FCS power North Dakota.

NAIA Football Poll

The Associated Press

Rec. Pts Pvs

1. Saint Xavier (Ill.) (15) 5-0 340 1

2. Marian (Ind.) 6-0 325 3

3. Carroll (Mont.) 4-1 307 4

4. William Penn (Iowa) 6-0 300 5

5. Missouri Valley 5-0 288 6

6. Georgetown (Ky.) 4-0 280 7

7. Saint Francis (Ind.) 3-1 267 2

8. MidAmerica Naz. 3-1 251 8

9. Morningside (Iowa) 3-1 230 10

10. Southern Naz. (OK) 5-0 226 11

11. Benedictine (Kan.) 5-0 210 12

12. Azusa Pacific 4-1 200 13

13. Doane (Neb.) 5-0 168 17

14. Bethany (Kan.) 5-0 164 15

15. St. Francis (Ill.) 4-1 157 16

16. Dakota Wesleyan 4-0 136 18

17. Eastern Oregon 4-1 130 9

18. St. Ambrose (Iowa) 3-1 117 20

19. Ottawa (Kan.) 3-2 82 21

20. Valley City State 4-1 80 23

21. Bethel (Tenn.) 4-1 71 —

22. Shorter (Ga.) 4-1 62 —

23. Rocky Mountain 4-2 52 —

24. Midland (Neb.) 3-2 51 14

25. Cumberland (Tenn.) 3-1 40 —

Others receiving votes: UVa-Wise (Va.) 25; Pikeville (Ky.) 17; Menlo (Calif.) 6; Campbellsville (Ky.) 3; Langston (Okla.) 1; Northwestern Oklahoma State 1; Northwestern (Iowa) 1; Taylor (Ind.) 1.

 

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