ODESSA, Texas (October 6, 2025) – After earning its second win this season against a team ranked in the top-5 of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches' Poll last weekend, the UT Permian Basin football continues to improve upon its highest national ranking in program history, this time checking in at No. 6 in the Week 6 AFCA Poll.

UTPB (5-0 overall, 3-0 LSC) was previously ranked No. 9 before defeating then-No. 5 Angelo State University in what was a battle of unbeaten top-10 teams from the Lone Star Conference on Saturday. The Falcons scored on three straight drives to end the first half and sealed the game with a scoring drive on their final possession to clinch a monumental 28-14 victory over the Rams. UTPB improved upon its best start in program history at 5-0, while ASU saw its 14-game LSC winning streak come to an end. UTPB quarterback Kanon Gibson threw for 289 yards and a touchdown and ran for three scores. Euvoski Cunningham had seven solo tackles, Malik Allen had two sacks for a loss of nine yards and David Walker also had a sack to lead UTPB's defense that surrendered just 252 yards and kept the Rams off the scoreboard in the first and fourth quarter. After the loss, Angelo State dropped seven spots from No. 5 to No. 12.

It was the first time in program history the Falcons played in a matchup where both teams were ranked in the top-10. The Falcons are now 3-4 all-time against top-10 opponents. Under Head Coach Kris McCullough, the Falcons boast a 3-0 record against top-10 opponents, with a win last year against then-ranked No. 9 Central Washington University and this year's season opener against No. 5 the University of Central Oklahoma.

D2Football.com Media Poll
UTPB jumped to No. 4 following its impressive road win at previous No. 6 Angelo State. UTPB was previously ranked No. 7 during each of the last two weeks. ASU remains highly ranked, but dropped to No. 10 after the loss to the Falcons.

DII Football Power 10 Rankings
UTPB was ranked No. 6 in Wayne Cavadi's latest DII football Power 10 rankings (Week 5). It is the third week in a row in the Power 10 Rankings for the Falcons after ranking No. 9 during each of the previous two weeks.

The Falcons are one of three teams from the Lone Star Conference and one of six teams from the region in the Power 10 rankings. Angelo State takes UTPB's previous spot at No. 9 while Central Washington breaks into the rankings for the first time at No. 10. Other teams in the rankings from Super Region Four are No. 2 Harding University, No. 7 Western Colorado University, and No. 8 Pittsburg State University.

What Wayne Cavadi Said
This week, UT Permian Basin continues its ascent up the Power 10 mountain with a statement 28-14 victory over then-No. 5 Angelo State. The Falcons are off to the best start in program history after their minor upset over Angelo State on Saturday. They have now defeated a pair of teams that were in the top five when they played them, upsetting No. 5 Central Oklahoma on opening weekend. Quarterback Kanon Gibson is a gamer, and although he threw his first two interceptions of the season, he found a way to win by scoring three touchdowns on the ground. The Lone Star Conference is on the line in next week's showdown against Central Washington.

Next Up
The Falcons do not have long to savor the victory over Angelo State as they will host Central Washington University (4-1 overall, 3-0 LSC) in the only top-25 matchup this coming weekend. Both teams sit atop the Lone Star Conference with 3-0 records as the matchup could very well determine the outcome of the conference championship. The action is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, from Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas.

It will be UTPB's third matchup this season and second in a row against a nationally-ranked team. CWU moved up three spots from No. 16 to No. 13 in the AFCA Poll and moved up two spots from No. 17 to No. 15 in the D2football.com Poll. Central Washington used a hot start to defeat Eastern New Mexico University last weekend, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back en route to a 58-7 win. CWU started its scoring with a 55-yard touchdown pass from Kennedy McGill to Jalen Grabel on its first play from scrimmage. CWU went on to build a 52-0 lead at halftime. McGill threw for two scores and ran for two more. David Weber made three field goals – two over 40 yards – and connected on all seven extra-point attempts. CWU's defense allowed just 196 yards and was led by Timothy Timoteo (nine tackles, one sack and one forced fumble), Tyler King (one sack) and Chris Dodson (interception).

UTPB will be looking for its third win in a row against CWU after winning 42-14 in Midland in 2023 and winning by one point, 14-13, on the road in 2024. This season, CWU is scoring a league-high 51.8 points per game while the UTPB has the conference's top-rated defense, allowing just 310.2 yards and 16 points per game. CWU is the least penalized team in the league, averaging just 43.4 yards per game, while UTPB is next at 44.8. The Wildcats have yet to play a team with a winning record, but have scored 52, 91 and 58 points over the past three weekends. This is the first real DII test of the season as they head to Odessa for a showdown with UTPB.