Image credited to UTPB Athletics.
UTPB football cracks top 25 poll for first time in program history
Amidst a scorching start to its season, the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) football team made history today by cracking the D2Football.com top 25 poll, coming in ranked 25th, according to Brandon Warr, UTPB’s athletics communications specialist.
“UTPB is close to being ranked in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, currently on the outside looking in – for the third straight week – receiving 27 votes,” Warr noted.
The recognition follows the Falcons’ 6-1 start to the season, which included an 86-7 win over Southwest Baptist, 41-40 win over West Texas A&M, 29-17 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville, 21-13 win over Midwestern State and 52-29 win over Eastern New Mexico. The Falcons’ lone season loss was by eight points to West Colorado, which is ranked 14th in the same poll.
“It’s good to be recognized nationally for the work our guys have done,” UTPB Head Coach Kris McCullough said. “First 25 Ranking in school history and first top 25 matchup this week for our program.”
The Falcons’ next test comes at 6 p.m. Saturday when they play at Angelo State, which is ranked 18th in the D2Football.com poll.
UTPB’s football program first launched in 2015 under former Head Coach Justin Carrigan, who in 2022 departed the role to become deputy athletic director at the university. McCullough, previously a successful coach at East Central University in Oklahoma, was described as a “young rising star” upon being hired to take over as coach of the Falcons.
D2Football.com Top 25 Poll
October 16, 2023
| Team | Record | Last | |
| 1 | Colorado Mines | 7-0 | 2 |
| 2 | Grand Valley | 5-1 | 4 |
| 3 | Pittsburg State | 7-0 | 3 |
| 4 | Minnesota State | 7-0 | 5 |
| 5 | Ferris State | 4-2 | 1 |
| 6 | Delta State | 7-0 | 6 |
| 7 | Harding | 7-0 | 9 |
| 8 | Slippery Rock | 7-0 | 10 |
| 9 | Bemidji State | 5-1 | 11 |
| 10 | Benedict | 7-0 | 12 |
| 11 | Lenoir-Rhyne | 7-0 | 13 |
| 12 | Indianapolis | 6-0 | 14 |
| 13 | West Florida | 5-2 | 7 |
| 14 | Western Colorado | 7-0 | 15 |
| 15 | Davenport | 6-0 | 16 |
| 16 | Ouachita Baptist | 6-1 | 8 |
| 17 | Central Missouri | 6-1 | 17 |
| 18 | Angelo State | 4-2 | 19 |
| 19 | Shepherd | 6-1 | 20 |
| 20 | Virginia Union | 6-1 | 22 |
| 21 | Augustana | 7-0 | 24 |
| 22 | Truman State | 6-1 | 18 |
| 23 | Emporia State | 5-2 | 23 |
| 24 | Virginia State | 7-0 | 25 |
| 25 | UT-Permian Basin | 6-1 | NR |
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