October 21, 2002

FURMAN CLIMBS TO FOURTH IN
SPORTS NETWORK NCAA I-AA POLL

GREENVILLE -- A 37-10 winner over The Citadel on Saturday, the Furman Paladins moved from sixth to fourth and are now the highest ranked Southern Conference team in the Sports Network NCAA I-AA poll, which was released today.

Furman returns to action this Saturday when it takes on East Tennessee State in Johnson City, Tenn., in a Comcast Sports Southeast televised game. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.

Including playoffs, Furman has earned national Top 25 rankings for 46 consecutive weeks since the 1999 season.

SPORTS NETWORK NCAA I-AA FOOTBALL POLL
(October 21, 2002)

Rnk. Team 2002 Record Points Previous
1) Montana (100) 7-0 2,548 1
2) McNeese State (2) 5-1 2,442 2
3) Northwestern State 6-1 2,223 5
4) Furman 5-2 2,119 6
5) Eastern Illinois 5-2 2,044 7
6) Maine 7-1 1,979 8
7) Grambling State 6-1 1,678 9
8) Appalachian State 5-2 1,629 3
9) Western Illinois 6-1 1,625 10
10) Georgia Southern 5-2 1,624 13
11) Bethune-Cookman 8-0 1,610 11
12) Villanova 6-2 1,510 4
13) Portland State 5-2 1,406 12
14) William & Mary 4-2 1,200 14
15) Northeastern 6-1 1,172 15
16) Massachusetts 5-2 984 20
17) Northern Iowa 4-3 751 21
18) Lehigh 5-2 744 19
19) Eastern Kentucky 5-3 682 22
20) Idaho State 4-2 436 24
21) South Carolina State 5-2 341 18
22) Nicholls State 6-2 313 NR
23) Youngstown State 4-3 270 17
24) Western Kentucky 5-3 243 NR
25) Wofford 5-2 219 NR