WACO, Tex. - The Saginaw Valley State University football team made the jump into the AFCA Division II Coaches' Top 25 Poll, landing at No. 18 after defeating then No. 8 Valdosta State 28-24 at home on Saturday (Sept. 1).

The top seven teams remained unchanged in week one of the of the poll. Pittsburg State (Kan.) still holds onto the top spot, and received 28 first-place votes this week. The Gorillas were followed by Minnesota-Duluth, Northwest Missouri State, Midwestern State (Texas) and Wayne State (Mich.) in the Top 5. Valdosta State (Ga.) had the biggest fall, dropping from No. 8 to No. 20 following the loss to the Cardinals. 

SVSU is one of four new teams in the poll this week. The Cardinals jump into the poll at No. 18, followed by Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) at No. 21, Indiana (Pa.) at No. 23 and Texas A&M-Kingsville at No. 24. 

The Cardinals will take to the road for the first time this season when they travel to Canton, Ohio to play GLIAC newcomer Malone.  Malone was idle during the first week of the season and will be playing their first contest as a member of the conference when they host SVSU.