Football Picked 25th in D2 Football Media Top 25 Poll

D2Football.com Top 25 Poll
WEST CHESTER, Pa. - West Chester University's football program was selected 25^th in the first D2Football.com Top 25 poll of the season, which was released on Monday afternoon.

This is the second time in the past three seasons that the Golden Rams have been ranked in the Top 25 in the D2 Football Media Poll.

The Golden Rams enter 2017 after coming off a strong 2016 campaign, which saw them finish the year on a four-game winning streak to push their record to 8-3 on the season.

Defending DII National Champion Northwest Missouri State was selected as the Preseason No. 1, followed by Ferris State at No. 2, with Grand Valley State, Emporia State, and North Alabama rounding out the top five.

The Golden Rams are joined in the Top 25 by PSAC Rivals IUP (Pa.) in the No. 8 spot and California (Pa.) coming in at No. 11.

West Chester and head coach Bill Zwaan return 20 starters from a year ago, including 10 All-PSAC selections. The Golden Rams bring back nine starters on offense, including 1,000-yard rusher Jarel Elder, seven starters on defense and all four special teamers. Six of the all-leaguers were first-team selections in 2016.

The Golden Rams will open their 2017 campaign on Thursday, August 31^st against Bentley inside John A. Farrell Stadium at 6 p.m.  
 
D2Football.com Top 25 Poll
1          Northwest Missouri    15-0
2          Ferris State      12-3
3          Grand Valley  12-1
4          Emporia State 11-2
5          North Alabama           11-2
6          Texas A&M-Commerce          10-2
7          Shepherd         13-1
8          Minnesota Duluth       10-2
9          IUP     10-2
10        Harding           13-1
11        California        11-1
12        CSU-Pueblo    8-3
13        Valdosta State 8-3
14        Azusa Pacific  9-3
15        Sioux Falls      12-1
16        Minnesota State          8-3
17        Bemidji State  9-3
18        Ashland           9-2
19        LIU-Post         12-1
20        Central Missouri          9-3
21        Colorado Mines          10-3
22        Midwestern State        8-3
23        UNC-Pembroke          10-2
24        Southern Arkansas      9-3
25        West Chester 8-3