Dupage Policy Journal

North Central College has been ranked number one in the latest national polls released by D3football.com and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The AFCA poll, published on Monday, gave North Central a unanimous top ranking from all 52 coaches. In the D3football.com poll, North Central received 22 out of 25 first-place votes.

The rankings come after North Central’s decisive victory over Carthage in their College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) opener last Saturday in Naperville. North Central won the game 62-0, gaining 688 yards of offense while limiting Carthage to just 100 yards. The team is currently on a 17-game winning streak and is the defending national champion.

Wheaton College also moved up in both national polls following its win against Augustana in Rock Island. Wheaton advanced two spots to number 16 in the AFCA poll, tying with Trinity (Texas), and placed 17th in the D3football.com poll. In their recent game, Wheaton led Augustana 29-0 at halftime and finished with a final score of 50-7, totaling 439 yards of offense.

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) received recognition as well, earning 20 points in the coaches’ poll after defeating Carroll on Saturday with a score of 41-29.

"North Central defeated Carthage in last Saturday’s CCIW opener in Naperville, 62-0. NCC compiled 688 yards of offense and held the visitors to just 100 yards. NCC had 22 of 25 first-place votes from D3football.com and all 52 votes from the AFCA. The defending national champions have won 17 games in a row."

"Wheaton took down Augustana in Rock Island on Saturday, 50-7. The Thunder gained 439 yards and owned a 29-0 advantage at halftime. WC collected 412 points in the coaches’ poll, tying Trinity (Texas) for the 16th position. The Thunder were 17th according to D3football.com voters with 196 points."

"WashU received 20 points in the coaches’ poll. The Bears won at Carroll on Saturday, 41-29."