ODESSA, Texas (September 15, 2025) – Despite not playing a game this past week, the UT Permian Basin football has achieved the highest national ranking in program history after checking in a No. 7 in the latest D2Football.com Media Poll.

The Falcons have started the season 2-0 for the first time under Head Coach Kris McCullough, including earning the highest nationally-ranked win in program history with a 20-point win (34-14) in the season opener over a University of Central Oklahoma (Aug. 30) team that was ranked No. 3 at the time in the D2Football.com Preseason Poll.

UTPB first entered the D2Football.com Poll this season at No. 16 after the win over UCO, and subsequently rose to No. 10 in last week's poll following a 41-7 win in its first road game of the season at Adams State University (Sept. 6). That tied UTPB's previous highest national ranking in program history. The Falcons achieved a national ranking as high as No. 10 in the D2Football.com Top 25 Poll in 2023 after defeating Central Washington University 42-14 to claim its first-ever the Lone Star Conference Championship.

Also representing the Lone Star Conference in the current version of the D2football.com poll, Angelo State University rose two spots for the third week in a row, this time going from No. 8 to No. 6, just one spot ahead of the Falcons. Then-No. 8 Angelo State opened LSC play with a 31-20 win over Eastern New Mexico this past weekend. With the victory, the Rams extended their conference winning streak to 13 games. Chad Pharies (77 yards, two touchdowns) and Kaeden Smith (70 yards) led the ground attack for ASU, which completed just one pass for 12 yards. Zeek Freeman ran back a kickoff in the second quarter for 88 yards to make it 14-7. Xavier Johnson ran for 103 yards for ENMU and Chad Ragled had two rushing touchdowns. Defensively, ASU was led by Owen Seaver's eight tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble. ASU led 24-7 at halftime.

Also rising up two sports for the second week in a row, Central Washington University moved from No. 21 to No. 19 this week. UTPB's "Week 0" opponent, the University of Central Oklahoma, rose from No. 12 to No. 8, just one spot behind the Falcons. Central Oklahoma is 1-1 this season and 1-0 in the MIAA following a historic 27-24 win over then No. 12-ranked Pittsburg State University during its home opener two weeks ago. The Bronchos beat the Gorillas for the first time since 2015 and won at home against Pitt for the first time since 1968 (eight meetings). UTPB, CWU and UCO were all idle this week.

AFCA Poll
In addition, in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches' Poll, UTPB moved up one spot from No. 12 to No. 11. Angelo State moved from No. 8 to No. 6, Central Oklahoma remained at No. 15, and Central Washington rose one spot from No. 18 to No. 17.

Ferris State still holds the top spot in both polls after beating Tiffin University 41-34 on Saturday night and moving to 3-0 on the season. Freshman quarterback Wyatt Bower accounted for five touchdowns, including a 75-yard burst just before halftime. Bower piled up 146 rushing yards with three scores and threw for 232 yards and two more touchdowns, helping the Bulldogs (3-0) build a 35-14 halftime lead.

Next Up
After a "Week 2" bye week last week, UTPB opens up Lone Star Conference action on the road this weekend at Texas A&M University-Kingsville during "Week 3". Texas A&M-Kingsville could not overcome a 14-point second quarter by Northwest Missouri State University as it fell 49-20 on Saturday. The Javelinas were outgained in yardage, 193-78, in the second quarter and trailed 21-7 at halftime. TAMUK made it 28-20 in the fourth quarter on a 42-yard Daniel Gauna field goal, but NWMSU answered with three scores. Blake Jaques had a sack and Travis Bielfeld had an interception for TAMUK.

The action between the Falcons and the Javelinas will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, as the Falcons look to keep their streak of eight straight conference wins on the road under Coach McCullough going. In addition, UTPB has won each of its two conference openers during the tenure of Coach McCullough.