ODESSA, Texas (September 8, 2025) – After starting 2-0 for the first time under Head Coach Kris McCullough and for the first time since 2021, UT Permian Basin football has been ranked No. 10 in the D2Football.com Media Poll.

The first road game of the 2025 season for the Falcons last Saturday (Sept. 6) resulted in a 41-7 victory at Adams State University. Before that, UTPB earned one of the best wins in program history with a 34-14 upset of Central Oklahoma University during "Week 0" (Aug. 30). That first win propelled the Falcons into the D2Football.com Poll for the first time this season at No. 16.

UTPB utilized 266 passing yards and three touchdowns by Issac Mooring to top the Grizzlies. Mooring was 20-of-26 passing and threw a seven-yard touchdown to Jaylon Tillman for the game's first points with 25 seconds left in the first quarter. UTPB went on to build a 34-0 lead until Adams State scored with 44 seconds left in the third quarter. Kory Harris had two rushing touchdowns for UTPB and Jamarion Ravenell had a 96-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Also representing the Lone Star Conference, Angelo State University rose two spots for the second week in a row, this time going from No. 10 to No. 8. The Rams played in their first home game of the season and earned a 41-20 win over Emporia State University. The Rams jumped out on top early, scoring three touchdowns in just over two minutes. Braeden Fuller found Corey Sandolph on an 80-yard touchdown pass for the first score of the game. On the next drive, Demetrius Charles intercepted the Hornets before returning it 21 yards for the score. He followed up with another interception moments later, setting up a three-yard touchdown run by Kaeden Smith. The Rams led 27-3 after the first quarter. ASU's defense held ESU to only 51 yards rushing.

Also rising two spots was Central Washington University, moving from No. 23 to No. 21 despite falling 42-17 against the FCS No. 10-ranked University of Montana, which used a strong second half to pull away and hand the Wildcats their first setback of the season. CWU got a 44-yard field goal from David Weber in the first quarter then a 15-yard touchdown pass from Kennedy McGill to Camden Loidhamer and a 31-yard touchdown run from Beau Phillips in the second to trail just 21-17 at halftime.

UTPB's "Week 0" opponent, the University of Central Oklahoma, rose from No. 17 to No. 12 after rebounding from their season-opening loss to beat then-No. 12 Pittsburg State University, 27-24. The Bronchos kicked a field goal early in the fourth quarter to break a 24-24 tie, then their defense held firm to preserve the victory. UCO moves up to No. 14 while the Gorillas slide to a tie at No. 24 with the University of Minnesota Duluth.

After a "Week 2" bye week this week, UTPB will open up Lone Star Conference action on the road at Texas A&M University-Kingsville during "Week 3". The Scott Parr era kicked off with a bang for Texas A&M-Kingsville as it topped Lincoln University (Calif.) 60-12 at Javelina Stadium. The Javelinas utilized a dynamic offense, tallying 478 total yards and building up a 38-0 lead at halftime. Quarterback Jack Turner passed for 278 yards and four touchdowns – two to CJ Thompson. All of Turner's touchdown tosses were in the first half.  Three Javelinas had interceptions and Daniel Gauna notched three field goals for TAMUK.

AFCA Poll
In addition, in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches' Poll, UTPB moved up an impressive nine spots from No. 21 to No. 12. Angelo State moved from No. 10 to No. 8, just like it did in the D2Football.com Poll. Central Oklahoma is No. 15, Central Washington is tied for 18th, and TAMUK is receiving votes.

Ferris State still holds the top spot in both polls after a dominating 63-6 road win at Lake Erie College on Saturday. The Bulldogs built a 42-6 halftime lead and cruised to the win. FSU rolled up 625 yards of total offense and limited Lake Erie to only 126 yards overall.