Aug. 10, 2010

Waco, Tex. - The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) released its preseason DII poll Tuesday (Aug. 10) and Grand Valley State was picked second with 621 points and three first place votes. Defending NCAA DII National Champion Northwest Missouri State was picked first with 645 points and 22 first place votes.

The Lakers, who finished 13-2 and lost to Northwest Missouri State in the NCAA Division II title game last fall, return 40 letterwinners and 17 starters to the mix for the 2010 campaign. GVSU will report to preseason camp Wednesday (Aug. 11) and hold its first practice Thursday (Aug. 12) at 3 p.m.

Rounding out the top five were #3 North Alabama, #4 Minnesota-Duluth and #5 Central Washington. West Texas A&M, the Lakers' season-opening opponent, enters the 2010 season ranked #11, while GLIAC foe Saginaw Valley State is #14 and Hillsdale #18.

AFCA Top 25 Poll

1. Northwest Missouri State (22) 645 14-1

2. Grand Valley State (3) 621 13-2*$

3. North Alabama (1) 580 11-2

4. Minnesota-Duluth 549 11-2$

5. Central Washington 499 12-1

6. California (Pa.) 489 11-4

7. Abilene Christian (Tex.) 435 9-4

8. West Liberty (W.Va.) 406 11-2

9. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 400 11-3

10. Washburn (Kan.) 339 8-3

11. West Texas A&M 337 7-5

12. West Alabama 313 8-5

13. Nebraska-Kearney 296 11-2$

14. Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) 235 9-3*$

15. Nebraska-Omaha 232 7-5

16. Texas A&M-Kingsville 216 9-3

17. Tuskegee (Ala.) 210 10-2

18. Hillsdale (Mich.) 188 10-3*$

19. Miswestern State 163 9-3

20. Missouri Western State 160 9-3

21. Minnesota State-Mankato 127 10-2$

22. West Chester (Pa.) 122 7-4

23. North Carolina-Pembroke 115 9-2

24. Delta State (Miss.) 93 5-5

25. East Stroudsburg 74 8-4

* - GLIAC Opponent

$ - Super Region 3 school

Others receiving votes in GLIAC or Super Region 3: Bemidji State (Minn.) 56$; St. Cloud State (Minn.) 17$; Findlay (Ohio) 13*$; Winona State (Minn.) 13$