CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – For the first time in the NAIA DI era, the Campbellsville University Fighting Tiger football team has reached #6 in the nation. The program's new all-time best ranking was revealed in the latest Netting Professionals NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll, a direct result of their thrilling victory over a top-10 rival this past Saturday.
The #6 ranking surpasses the previous modern-era high of #7, a mark set in 2001 and first reached in August 1998. This historic climb from #9 is a testament to the team's undefeated 6-0 start and their dramatic 34-31 victory over the now #10 Lindsey Wilson University Blue Raiders.
The Tigers have established themselves as one of the nation's elite teams on the back of a balanced and explosive squad. Through six games, Campbellsville's offense is averaging an impressive 468.5 yards and 41.7 points per game. The defense has been a turnover-forcing machine, creating 17 takeaways (nine interceptions, eight fumble recoveries) on the season, helping the team to a +12 turnover margin. Leading tackler Chase Maynard has the team-high three forced fumbles while three Tigers share the interception high at two: CJ Cutliff, Jerrod Johnson, and Brandon Heard.
This potent combination of offense and defense has propelled the Tigers to a perfect 6-0 record and a 2-0 start in Mid-South Conference play, putting them in the driver's seat for a conference championship.
With their highest-ever ranking now attached to their name, the #6 Fighting Tigers will take their undefeated record on the road this Saturday. They are set to face another conference foe, the (RV) Cumberland Phoenix. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET in Henderson, Tennessee.
| Trend |
Rank |
Last Poll |
Institution [First-Place Votes] |
Record |
Points |
| ● |
1 |
1 |
Grand View (Iowa) [16] |
6-0 |
436 |
| ● |
2 |
2 |
Keiser (Fla.) |
6-0 |
422 |
| ● |
3 |
3 |
Benedictine (Kan.) |
6-1 |
406 |
| ▲ |
T-4 |
5 |
Friends (Kan.) |
7-0 |
387 |
| ▲ |
T-4 |
6 |
Montana Tech |
7-0 |
387 |
| ▲ |
6 |
9 |
Campbellsville (Ky.) |
6-0 |
359 |
| ▼ |
7 |
10 |
Dordt (Iowa) |
6-0 |
345 |
| ▲ |
8 |
11 |
Marian (Ind.) |
6-1 |
337 |
| ▲ |
9 |
12 |
Carroll (Mont.) |
6-1 |
308 |
| ▼ |
10 |
7 |
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) |
6-1 |
301 |
| ▼ |
11 |
4 |
Morningside (Iowa) |
5-2 |
295 |
| ▲ |
12 |
13 |
OUAZ (Ariz.) |
6-0 |
273 |
| ▼ |
13 |
8 |
St. Thomas (Fla.) |
4-2 |
271 |
| ● |
14 |
14 |
Indiana Wesleyan |
5-2 |
268 |
| ▲ |
15 |
16 |
Southwestern (Kan.) |
6-1 |
230 |
| ▲ |
16 |
T-20 |
College of Idaho |
5-1 |
228 |
| ● |
17 |
17 |
Southeastern (Fla.) |
5-1 |
215 |
| ● |
18 |
18 |
Georgetown (Ky.) |
5-2 |
204 |
| ▲ |
19 |
23 |
Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) |
5-1 |
170 |
| ▼ |
20 |
15 |
Montana Western |
4-3 |
157 |
| ▲ |
21 |
25 |
William Penn (Iowa) |
6-1 |
153 |
| ▼ |
22 |
T-20 |
McPherson (Kan.) |
6-1 |
120 |
| ▲ |
23 |
RV |
Concordia (Neb.) |
5-1 |
107 |
| ▲ |
24 |
RV |
Northwestern (Iowa) |
4-3 |
98 |
| ▼ |
T-25 |
19 |
Texas Wesleyan |
4-3 |
77 |
| ▲ |
T-25 |
RV |
Bethel (Tenn.) |
3-2 |
77 |
Receiving Votes: Kansas Wesleyan 65, Evangel (Mo.) 53, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) 43, Saint Francis (Ind.) 41, Taylor (Ind.) 20, Saint Xavier (Ill.) 19, Peru State (Neb.) 15, Cumberland (Tenn.) 8, Faulkner (Ala.) 7, Florida Memorial 6, Midland (Neb.) 5, Dakota State (S.D.) 4, Reinhardt (Ga.) 4, Baker (Kan.) 2.
Dropped out of Top 25: MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), Saint Francis (Ind.)
