Following an impressive opening week, the Samford football team moved up to ninth in both the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and the STATS FCS Poll, both released Monday, Sept. 3.
In the preseason polls, Samford had been ranked 10th in the AFCA Coaches Poll and 11th in the STATS Poll. The Bulldogs moved up to ninth in both polls following a 66-9 season-opening victory over Shorter Thursday evening at Seibert Stadium.
Samford was one of three Southern Conference teams in both polls. Wofford was ranked seventh in the AFCA Coaches Poll and eighth in the STATS Poll. Furman came in at 21st in the AFCA Coaches Poll and 25th in the STATS Poll. Samford non-conference opponent Kennesaw State was ranked eighth by the coaches and seventh by STATS.
In addition to the SoCon teams ranked in the top 25, Western Carolina is also receiving votes in both polls. Chattanooga received votes in the STATS Poll.
The Bulldogs will play on the road for the first time this Saturday, when the team plays at ACC power Florida State. Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 6:20 p.m. (CT), and the game can be seen live on the ACC Network.
AFCA COACHES POLL (Sept. 3)
Rank School
1. North Dakota St. (26)
2. James Madison
3. South Dakota St.
4. Sam Houston St.
5. Eastern Washington
6. North Carolina A&T
7. Wofford
8. Kennesaw St.
9. Samford
10. Nicholls
11. Villanova
12. Jacksonville St.
13. Weber St.
14. McNeese
15. Elon
16. Montana
17. Central Arkansas
18. Northern Iowa
19. Illinois St.
20. Northern Arizona
21. Furman
22. New Hampshire
23. Stony Brook
24. Austin Peay
25. Maine
Others Receiving Votes: South Dakota, 46; Delaware, 40; Sacramento St., 27; UC Davis, 23; Yale, 22; San Diego, 20; Colgate, 18; Montana St., 11; Rhode Island, 11; Dayton, 9; Western Carolina, 9; Youngstown St., 5; Southeastern Louisiana, 4; Alabama St., 3; Charleston Southern, 3; Grambling St., 1.
STATS POLL (Sept. 3)
Rank School
1. North Dakota State
2. James Madison
3. South Dakota State
4. Sam Houston State
5. North Carolina A&T
6. Eastern Washington
7. Kennesaw State
8. Wofford
9. Samford
10. Weber State
11. Nicholls
12. Villanova
13. Jacksonville State
14. Montana
15. Elon
16. McNeese
17. Central Arkansas
18. Northern Arizona
19. Illinois State
20. New Hampshire
21. Northern Iowa
22. Maine
23. South Dakota
24. Stony Brook
25. Furman
Others Receiving Votes: UC Davis 417, Delaware 361, Austin Peay 343, Rhode Island 178, Montana State 169, Yale 141, Sacramento State 136, San Diego 117, Grambling State 94, Southern Utah 67, Colgate 50, Richmond 44, Butler 42, Western Illinois 42, North Alabama 33, North Dakota 28, Tennessee State 22, Lehigh 21, Youngstown State 21, Prairie View A&M 16, Western Carolina 16, Southeastern Louisiana 10, Chattanooga 9, Monmouth 8, Southern Illinois 5, Howard 5, Idaho 4, Alabama State 3, Central Connecticut State 3, Fordham 2, Duquesne 1, Harvard 1