ODESSA, Texas (November 18, 2025) – Heading into the first round NCAA Division II Football Playoffs, The University of Texas Permian Basin football team (9-2 overall, 7-2 Lone Star Conference) has moved up to No. 10 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches' Poll.

No. 15 UTPB rolls past Sul Ross State, 74-10
Kanon Gibson passed for five touchdowns to lead an offense that racked up 639 yards and No. 15 UTPB cruised to a 74-10 win over Sul Ross State. It was the fourth straight win for UTPB, which finished 7-2 in LSC play. Head coach Kris McCullough became the Falcons' all-time wins leader with 26. Gibson was 26-for-50 and five different receivers caught touchdowns, led by Jaylon Tillman's two. Tristan Exline had 10 tackles and Kharel Coney had an interception for UTPB, which led 32-10 at halftime.

AFCA Poll
UTPB moved up five spots from No. 15 to No. 10. The Falcons moved up thanks to losses by Findlay (then No. 8), Northwest Missouri St. (then No. 12), Virginia Union (then No. 9), Augustana (then No. 13), and Minnesota St. (then No. 14).

From the Lone Star Conference, Central Washington University moved up one spot from No. 6 to No. 5 after claiming the LSC title with a thrilling 19-17 victory over Western Oregon, which fell from No. 24 to No. 25. West Texas A&M (2 votes) is appearing in the receiving votes section.

UPTB's opponent in the first round of the playoffs, Colorado State Pueblo, rose open spot from No. 5 to No. 4 after winning its second straight RMAC title with a double overtime Senior Day win over Chadron State, which remains ranked at No. 22.

D2Football.com Media Poll
In addition, in the D2Football.com Media Poll, UTPB moved up two spots from No. 13 to No. 11. CWU moved up from No. 6 to No. 5, just like it did in the AFCA Poll, which CSU Pueblo moved up from No. 7 to No. 6.

Next Up
UTPB is headed to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the second time in program history and for the second time in three years. The Falcons and the ThunderWolves will square off starting at 1:02 p.m. Mountain Time / 2:02 p.m. Central Time on Saturday, November 22, in the ThunderBowl in Pueblo, Colorado, in the first round of the playoffs.