November 1, 1999
Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN CLIMBS TO 7TH IN NCAA I-AA FOOTBALL POLL

GREENVILLE -- On the strength of Saturday's 28-3 win over North Carolina, the Furman Paladins climbed five slots to 7th in this week's Sports Network NCAA I-AA poll, which was released today.

Furman first cracked the poll at No. 25 following the Paladins' 27-19 victory over Western Carolina on Oct. 2. The Paladins moved to 18th following a 35-21 win over previously third-ranked Appalachian State, and up to 14th after beating The Citadel 31-17 on Oct. 16. Furman improved to 12th following its 48-21 thrashing of East Tennessee State two weeks ago before leaping five slots with its stunning 28-3 rout of North Carolina for its first win over an NCAA I-A foe since 1985.

Furman, winners of seven straight and all alone atop the Southern Conference with a 7-1 overall record and 5-0 league mark, is one of three conference teams in this week's national poll, which also includes Georgia Southern (No. 4) and Appalachian State (No. 6).

The Paladins return to action this Saturday when they travel to Statesboro, Ga., to take on the Georgia Southern Eagles in a key Southern Conference showdown. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

The Sports Network Division I-AA Top 25 College Football Poll

Team (First-place votes) / 1999 Record / Points / Previous Rank
1. Troy State (53) / 8-0 / 1,507 / 1
2. Tennessee State (4) / 8-0 / 1,397 / 2
3. Southern University (1) / 8-0 / 1,301 / 3
4. Georgia Southern / 7-2 / 1,252 / 4
5. Montana / 7-1 / 1,241 / 5
6. Appalachian State / 6-2 / 1,191 / 6
7. Furman (2) / 7-1 / 1,102 / 12
8. James Madison (1) / 7-1 / 1,078 / 10
9. Lehigh / 8-0 / 1,057 / 7
10. Hofstra / 7-1 / 1,034 / 9
11. Illinois State / 7-2 / 1,002 / 11
12. Florida A&M / 6-2 / 787 / 13
13. Northern Iowa / 7-2 / 771 / 14
14. Youngstown State / 7-2 / 729 / 8
15. Portland State / 7-2 / 618 / 17
16. Jackson State / 6-2 / 548 / 18
17. Massachusetts / 5-3 / 453 / 20
18. Eastern Kentucky / 6-2 / 446 / 15
19. Stephen F. Austin / 6-2 / 386 / 22
20. Villanova / 6-3 / 351 / 21
21. South Florida / 6-3 / 331 / 16
22. Northern Arizona / 5-3 / 220 / 24
23. Elon College / 7-2 / 199 / NR
24. North Carolina A&T / 7-1 / 172 / 25
25. Delaware / 5-3 / 95 / NR