WACO, Texas — Riding a five-game winning streak and tabbed 11^th in the latest NPI rankings, the ESU football team made its first appearance in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches Poll this week, coming in at No. 24.
 
For the first time since being ranked 25th in 2010, ESU is back in the AFCA Coaches Poll. The Warriors are riding high; undefeated since their bye week with convincing wins in all five contests. ESU recently defeated Shepherd 31-7, who was receiving votes for the majority of the season. The Warriors themselves opened the year receiving votes and started to garner more attention over the last two weeks, breaking through by garnering 60 votes.
 
From day one, ESU's rushing offense has been its calling card — ranking 10^th in the country with over 240 yards in seven games — while the defense has turned into one of the most impressive units over the last five weeks in Division II. The Warriors have outscored their opponents 190-27, scoring no fewer than 27 points in a game, allowing no more than 13, and shutting out two teams during the stretch.
 
ESU's next game is against its last ranked opponent of the regular season, the No. 3 Kutztown Golden Bears. The Warriors look to cement their place in the rankings against the 2025 Division II semifinalists, with kickoff scheduled for 1:05 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Eiler-Martin Stadium.