KANSAS CITY, Mo. – History has been made. Following a thrilling Homecoming victory and a dominant 5-0 start to the season, the Campbellsville University Fighting Tiger football team has achieved its highest ranking since their #7 placement in 2001, climbing to #10 in the latest NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

That placement eclipses the team's #11 ranking which was set during the 2015 postseason. In a fitting connection between the two eras of Tiger football, current Head Coach Jake Russell was the starting quarterback of that 2015 team, a season in which he earned NAIA All-American honors and was named the NCCAA Player of the Year. Alongside being ranked #7 in both 2001 and 1998, the 1990 Tigers were ranked as high as #2 in 1990 with an 8-0 start to that year. However, the latter was when Campbellsville was designated NAIA Division II.

The Tigers have surged into the Top 10 on the strength of a perfect 5-0 record and a high-powered offense that is averaging an explosive 43.2 points per game. The team is coming off a statement 49-34 conference win over the University of the Cumberlands, a game in which the Tigers never trailed.

That victory was fueled by a legendary performance from senior running back Tre' Bass, who tied a program record with five touchdowns (three rushing, two receiving) while amassing an incredible 316 all-purpose yards. The game started with a literal bang, as junior Ashton Auker returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, setting the tone for the day.

This season, the Fighting Tigers have showcased a balanced and formidable attack, averaging over 479 yards of total offense per game. Quarterback Jett Engle has been a force, throwing for 1,320 yards and 14 touchdowns through five games, while Bass has been a workhorse, racking up 555 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

Having reached this historic milestone, the #10 Tigers now head into a well-deserved bye week. They will use the time to prepare for their biggest test of the season, a colossal conference showdown at home against rival and #7 ranked Lindsey Wilson College. After a heartbreaking loss to Lindsey Wilson last season, the Tigers will look to avenge that loss, remain undefeated, and continue their climb by solidifying their status as a national championship contender.

The highly anticipated Top 10 match-up is scheduled for Saturday, October 18th, at Finley Stadium, kicking off at 1:30 p.m. ET.