Mars Hill, Lenoir-Rhyne Earn Spots in Initial NCAA Football Regional Rankings
October 24, 2011
INDIANAPOLIS - Mars Hill and Lenoir-Rhyne,
two of the SAC's three schools with only one loss in the conference
standings, have been ranked in the top 10 of the first NCAA Super
Region Two poll of the season.
The Regional Rankings, as voted on by the NCAA Division II
Football Committee, are the official poll used in the Division II
Football Championship's selection process.
Mars Hill, currently 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the SAC, is ranked
fourth in the poll. The Lions, who suffered their first conference
and Division II loss of the season last weekend to Lenoir-Rhyne,
are led by All-America candidate Jonas Randolph, who leads the SAC
by averaging 170.6 rushing yards per game.
Mars Hill is second in the conference in scoring offense and
fourth in the league in scoring defense. The Lions are currently
6-1 against Super Region Two competition.
Lenoir-Rhyne, coming off its impressive victory over Mars Hill
last Saturday, is 10th in the Regional Rankings. The Bears are 4-3
overall, 3-1 in the SAC, and 4-2 against in-region competition.
L-R is paced by dual-threat quarterback Major Herron, who is
currently fourth in the SAC with 177.6 total offensive yards per
game. The Bears also feature the SAC's top overall defensive
unit, allowing just 287.7 yards per game.
The Bears have three games remaining - all against the SAC -
while Mars Hill has just two contests remaining, also both against
league competition.
The NCAA Division II Football Committee will release updated
Regional Rankings each week leading up to the Championship's
selection day.
NCAA Super Region Two Rankings
1. Delta St.
2. North Alabama
3. Valdosta St.
4. MARS HILL
5. North Greenville
6. Albany St.
7. West Alabama
8. Morehouse
9. Stillman
10. LENOIR-RHYNE