2010 AFCA Division II Preseason Poll

WACO, Texas (Aug. 9) -- The Central Washington University football team is ranked fifth in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II preseason poll for 2010, as was released Monday by the AFCA.

This marks the third consecutive season that CWU is ranked in the top 25 by the AFCA heading into the season. The Wildcats were listed 11th in the 2008 preseason poll and 14th in the 2009 preseason ranking.

Central's 11-game schedule for 2010 opens with a stiff challenge from visiting Minnesota Duluth, which is ranked fourth in the same AFCA Division II preseason poll. The #5 Wildcats and #4 Bulldogs will take the Tomlinson Stadium turf on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 1 p.m. in a game that will also be televised in eastern Washington and northern Idaho on SWX-TV.

The Wildcats' opening-week opponent is the only foe listed among the Division II Top 25 in the AFCA preseason poll, although Western Oregon received one vote in the ranking. Division I-Football Championship Subdivision opponent Eastern Washington, whom Central will face in week three on Sept. 11 in the Showdown on the Sound at Qwest Field, is ranked among the Division I-FCS top 25 entering the season.

Central Washington finished the 2009 season with a school-record 12 victories and just one loss -- a 21-20 defeat against eventual national champion Northwest Missouri State in the national quarterfinals.