As expected, William Penn’s loss to Evangel did significant damage to its spot in the poll as the NAIA released its third top-25 football rating Monday.

The Statesmen (3-2) fell seven spots to #19 and lost 96 points (now at 95), but are still the third-highest ranked team in the league as the Heart of America Athletic Conference continues to beat itself up. Baker, which lost to Benedictine (Kan.), fell five spots and is still the top squad at #8. Only five teams represent the Heart now.

Like the Heart, the top position nationally is also a situation of hot potato as Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) is the third team in three weeks to be #1. The Blue Raiders own 338 points and 12 first-place votes. Southern Oregon, Faulkner (Ala.), and Morningside are ranked 2-4 with each having one first-place vote, while Carroll (Mont.) rounds out the top five. Last week’s #1 Morningside fell to NCAA Division III #1 Wisconsin-Whitewater last week.

William Penn hosts Avila (Mo.) Saturday in a Heart North-South Crossover game for Homecoming at 1 p.m.

NAIA Football Rating #3 – September 28, 2015
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) (12)
2. Southern Oregon (1)
3. Faulkner (Ala.)
4. Morningside (11)
5. Carroll (Mont.)
6. Marian (Ind.)
7. Saint Xavier (Ill.)
8. Baker (Kan.)
9. Grand View
10. Doane (Neb.)
11. Saint Francis (Ind.)
12. Robert Morris (Ill.)
13. Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)
14. Reinhardt (Ga.)
15. Northwestern
16. Tabor (Kan.)
17. Montana Western
18. Montana Tech
19. William Penn
20. Peru State (Neb.)
21. Kansas Wesleyan
22. Webber International (Fla.)
23. Benedictine (Kan.)
24. St. Francis (Ill.)
25. St. Ambrose

Others receiving votes: Dickinson State (N.D.) 16; Valley City State (N.D.) 13; Rocky Mountain (Mont.) 4; MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) 4; Langston (Okla.) 4.