Missouri State football team ranked for first time since 1997

For the first time since 1997, Missouri State is ranked in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision poll.

The Bears are No. 24 and one of seven schools from the Missouri Valley Conference in the coaches top 25.

Coach Terry Allen’s team is 3-1, the program’s best start since 2007.

“We’re happy to be mentioned and hope we can build on it,” Allen said.

Missouri State is coming off a 33-31 victory at Central Arkansas, a game won on the game’s final play when Marcelo Bonani booted a 53-yard field goal. The Bears next game is Oct. 4 when No. 12 Youngstown State visits Springfield.

Division II poll

Undefeated Northwest Missouri remained on top of the Division II coaches poll Monday and Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association rival Pittsburg State held on to the No. 8 spot. Missouri Western received votes.

▪ Former Blue Valley quarterback Anthony Abenoja, who threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns in Pitt State’s 42-0 victory at Washburn, Missouri Western defensive back Marc Harrison and Missouri Southern kicker Brock Renken were chosen as MIAA players of the week.

NAIA poll

Baker, 3-0, moved up one spot to No. 2 and received a first-place vote in this week’s NAIA coaches top 25. Morningside (Iowa) took over the top spot with 14 first-place votes after Grand View (Iowa) lost.

Also ranked from the Heart of America Athletic Conference: No. 11 Missouri Valley and No. 14 Benedictine. In the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, Tabor is ranked third and Ottawa is 25th.

This story was originally published September 22, 2014 at 3:12 PM with the headline "Missouri State football team ranked for first time since 1997."