WACO, Texas – Shepherd University is ranked 16th in the 2021 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches' Top 25 Poll that was released today. 

Shepherd posted a 10-3 mark in 2019 with a 6-1 record in PSAC East action.  

The Rams open the 2021 season on Sept 2. at 7 p.m. at Ohio Dominican. 

2021 American Football Coaches Association Preseason Division II Coaches' Poll – August 16, 2021 

Rank School (1st votes) 2019 Rec. Pts. 2019 Rank*  

1. West Florida (26) 13-2 698 1  

2. Minnesota St. (2) 14-1 673 2  

3. Ferris St. (Mich.) 12-1 630 3  

4. Northwest Missouri St. (1) 12-2 575 7  

5. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 13-1 544 6  

6t. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 13-1 540 4  

6t. Valdosta St. (Ga.) 10-1 540 5 

8. Texas A&M-Commerce 10-3 520 11  

9. Notre Dame (Ohio) 12-2 501 10  

10. Colorado School of Mines 12-1 423 8  

11. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 11-1 387 14  

12. Colorado St.-Pueblo 11-2 327 12  

13. Central Missouri 11-2 323 13  

14. Indianapolis (Ind.) 9-2 261 17  

15. Shepherd (W.Va.) 10-3 256 22  

16. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 8-3 231 NR  

17. Indiana (Pa.) 10-2 220 21  

18. Bowie St. (Md.) 11-1 210 18  

19. Tiffin (Ohio) 9-2 188 23  

20. Kutztown (Pa.) 11-2 144 16  

21. Lindenwood (Mo.) 9-4 134 25  

22. Harding (Ark.) 10-2 120 15  

23. Minnesota-Duluth 8-3 100 NR  

24t. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 9-3 95 20  

24t. Wingate (N.C.) 10-2 95 16 

*– Ranking in final AFCA Division II Poll of 2019