AFCA DIVISION 2 PRESEASON TOP 25 POLL

WACO, Texas – The UWF football team will open the 2018 season as the No. 2 ranked team in the country according to the preseason top 25 poll that was announced by the American Football Coaches Association on Monday.

The Argonauts received 14 first place votes and a total of 721 poll points. Texas A&M-Commerce was chosen No. 1 with 748 points and 13 first place votes. Minnesota State, Indiana (Pa.), Fort Hays State and Northwest Missouri State rounded out the top six, with MSU, IUP and Northwest receiving two first place votes each.
 
UWF was also ranked No. 2 in the final 2017 ranking after finishing with an 11-4 record and as the national finalist in its second year of competition. That was the only other time the program has been ranked in it's brief history.
 
The Argos are joined by two other Gulf South Conference schools in the top 25, with West Alabama at No. 12 and West Georgia at No. 19. Delta State is the second team receiving votes, while Florida Tech is the ninth team and Valdosta State is the 14th team.
 
Both of UWF's Division II non-conference opponents are ranked – Midwestern State is No. 11 and Carson-Newman is No. 22.
 
UWF has seven opponents from its 2018 schedule either ranked or receiving votes.

The Argos will play their season opener at home against No. 22 Carson-Newman on Thursday, Aug. 30 at 7:00 p.m. Single-game and season tickets are on sale by visiting GoArgos.com/ticketreturn or calling 850-474-ARGO. The game will be one of four D2 games that feature ranked teams playing each other to start the year.