BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Following a strong performance at Florida State Saturday night, the Samford football team remained ninth in both the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and the STATS FCS Poll, both released Monday.
 
The Bulldogs led deep into the fourth quarter at Florida State, before eventually falling, 36-26 Saturday evening.
 
Samford was one of two Southern Conference teams in both polls. Wofford was ranked seventh in the Coaches Poll and eighth in the STATS Poll. Samford non-conference opponent Kennesaw State was ranked eighth by the coaches and seventh by STATS.
 
In addition to the SoCon teams ranked in the top 25, Western Carolina and Furman are receiving votes in both polls. Chattanooga received votes in the STATS Poll.
 
The Bulldogs will return home to open Southern Conference play against Mercer Saturday at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets, click on the following link: PURCHASE TICKETS.
 
AFCA COACHES POLL (Sept. 10)
Rank     School                                                  
1.          North Dakota St. (25)                         
2.          James Madison (1)                                 
3.          South Dakota St.                                            
4.          Sam Houston St.                       
5.          Eastern Washington                   
6.          North Carolina A&T                      
7.          Wofford                                                 
8.          Kennesaw State                                
9.          Samford                                           
10.        Villanova                                            
11.        Jacksonville State                                          
12.        Nicholls                           
13.        Weber St.                                        
14.        Elon                                         
15.        McNeese                                                   
16.        Montana                                           
17.        Central Arkansas                         
T-18.     Northern Iowa                                
T-18.     Illinois St.                                        
20.        Maine                          
21.        Stony Brook                                             
22.        Northern Arizona                             
23.        Austin Peay                                
24.        South Dakota                                    
25.        Colgate                                               
 
Others Receiving Votes: UC Davis, 29; Rhode Island, 27; Furman, 17; New Hampshire, 11; Delaware, 10; Sacramento St., 8; Yale, 8; Southeastern Louisiana, 7; Western Carolina, 5; Monmouth (N.J.), 5; Montana St., 2; San Diego, 1.
 
STATS POLL (Sept. 10)
Rank    School
1. North Dakota State (154)
2. James Madison (2)
3. South Dakota State
4. North Carolina A&T
5. Sam Houston State
6. Eastern Washington
7. Kennesaw State
8. Wofford
9. Samford
10. Villanova
11. Weber State
12. Jacksonville State
13. Nicholls
14. Elon
15. Montana
16. McNeese
17. Maine  
18. Central Arkansas  
19. Illinois State
20. Northern Arizona
21. Northern Iowa
22. South Dakota
23. UC Davis
24. Stony Brook
25. Rhode Island
 
Others Receiving Votes: Austin Peay 225, Colgate 184, Delaware 154, Yale 115, New Hampshire 88, Sacramento State 71, Furman 39, Montana State 36, Richmond 33, Butler 27, Monmouth 17, Tennessee State 16, North Alabama 14, Western Illinois 13, San Diego 13, Idaho 11, Prairie View A&M 11, Chattanooga 10, North Dakota 9, Southern Utah 8, Southeastern Louisiana 7, Southern Illinois 5, Lehigh 4, Northwestern State 2, Sacred Heart 2, Western Carolina 2, Howard 1.