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NIU moves into Top 25 polls |
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 Northern Illinois has moved into the Top 25 ranks of both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls. MRO file Photo.
On Sunday, NIU entered the two major national college football polls – the USA Today Coaches Poll and the Associated Press Poll – at No. 23 and No. 24, respectively.
Northern Illinois garnered 130 votes in the Coaches’ Poll to come in at No. 23, behind No. 21 Utah (291 points) and No. 22 Mississippi State (223) and ahead of No. 24 West Virginia (110) and No. 25 UCF (62).
In the Associated Press rankings, NIU earned 130 points to take the No. 24 ranking, ahead of No. 25 Hawai’i (43 points) and just behind No. 23 West Virginia (147).
Northern Illinois is ranked for the first time since 2003 as the Huskies spent seven weeks (Sept. 21 to Nov. 9) in the Top 25 during that 10-2 campaign, reaching an all-time best (NCAA FBS) ranking of No. 12 on Oct. 12. Northern Illinois’ last ranking was 21st on Nov. 9, 2003 in both the AP and USA Today polls. This year marks only the second season in which the Huskies have achieved a national Top 25 ranking since becoming an FBS program in 1969.
NIU third-year head coach Jerry Kill appreciates the recognition that comes with being ranked but wants his team to remain focused on its goals, namely Friday’s game versus Miami (Ohio) for the MAC title.
“It’s good for our school and good for our football program, and this Friday we’ll see if we’re worthy of it,” Kill said. “We’ve done a nice job, so far, but those are the key words – so far.”
The Huskies, who completed the first undefeated (8-0) MAC season in school history with a 71-3 victory over Eastern Michigan last Friday, are the only 10-win team in the country to have played only five home games in 2010. NIU has tied its school record for victories in a season and has broken the all-time mark for points scored in a year while scoring 65, 59 and 71 points in its last three games.
Northern Illinois will play in the Marathon MAC Championship for the second time, and the first time since 2005 as the Huskies attempt to win their first MAC title since 1983. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. (ET)/6 p.m. (CT) on ESPN2.
Courtesy of NIU Athletics |
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