EIU Drops Out Of Others Receiving Votes Poll

PHILADELPHIA - With an open weekend for Eastern Illinois football, the Panthers fell out of the teams also receiving votes in the FCS Coaches Poll but did remain among those teams receiving consideration in this week's Sports Network Top 25 poll.

The Panthers are the 16th team also receiving votes in this week's poll and are listed behind both Southern Illinois and Jacksonville State, teams the Panthers beat this season.  EIU will play at No. 18 Eastern Kentucky this Saturday with the game to be televised on FOX College Sports at 11 a.m.

Eastern Washington held on to the number one ranking for the second straight week followed by Georgia Southern, Northern Dakota State, Montana State and Sam Houston State in the top five.

Old Dominion was sixth followed by Wofford, Lehigh, James Madison and Stony Brook.  Lehigh is one of only two undefeated teams remaining in the FCS ranks joining Cal Poly which is ranked No. 11 this week.

New Hampshire was 12th in the this week's poll followed by Northern Arizona, Central Arkansas, Indiana State, Appalachian State, Illinois State, Eastern Kentucky, Villanova and Delaware.

Tennessee State which sufferered its first loss of the season at Jacksonville State is 21st with the Top 25 rounded out by Youngstown State, Towson, Albany and Richmond.  Harvard which was knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten this week fell out of the poll.

Team (First-place votes) 2012 Record Points Previous Rank
1. Eastern Washington Eagles (125)  6-1 4014 1
2. Georgia Southern Eagles (14)  6-1 3787 3
3. North Dakota State Bison (13)  6-1 3746 4
4. Montana State Bobcats 6-1 3489 5
5. Sam Houston State Bearkats (5)  5-2 3218 6
6. Old Dominion Monarchs 6-1 3089 7
7. Wofford Terriers 6-1 3060 8
8. Lehigh Mountain Hawks (3)  8-0 2839 3
9. James Madison Dukes 5-2 2779 2
10. Stony Brook Seawolves (1)  7-1 2704 10
11. Cal Poly Mustangs (3)  7-0 2437 14
12. New Hampshire Wildcats 6-2 2434 12
13. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 6-1 2083 16
14. Central Arkansas Bears 6-2 1654 19
15. Indiana State Sycamores 6-2 1416 21
16. Appalachian State Mountaineers 5-3 1404 13
17. Illinois State Redbirds 6-2 1394 11
18. Eastern Kentucky Colonels 6-2 1152 23
19. Villanova Wildcats 6-2 1135 24
20. Delaware Blue Hens 5-2 837 25
21. Tennessee State Tigers 7-1 786 17
22. Youngstown State Penguins 4-3 686 15
23. Towson Tigers 3-4 515 15
24. Albany Great Danes 6-1 483 NR
25. Richmond Spiders 5-3 456 NR
Others receiving votes: South Dakota State 337, Southern Illinois 306, UT Martin 246, Harvard 223, Bethune-Cookman 107, Alabama A&M 78, The Citadel 68, Sacramento State 59, McNeese State 55, Jacksonville State 39, Chattanooga 35, Northern Iowa 28, Stephen F. Austin 26, North Carolina Central 25, Princeton 24, Eastern Illinois 14, Samford 9, Montana 6, Southeastern Louisiana 6, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 4, Drake 3, Colgate 2, Fordham 2, North Dakota 1.