KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Bethel University Wildcats jumped into the NAIA 2018 Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll Monday coming in at No. 19 in the nation. The Wildcats sporting a 2-0 record play host to Keiser University (2-0) Saturday. The Seahawks received votes in the poll. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium. 

The last time a Bethel Wildcat football squad was ranked in the NAIA Football Coaches Top 25 Poll was October 31, 2016 when they were ranked No. 23 in the nation. Earlier that season the Cats had climbed to No. 16 which had been their best ranking since 2013. 

Defending National Champion Saint Francis (Ind.) defended its No. 1 ranking in the first regular season poll. After a commanding 49-19 win over St. Francis (Ill.), the Cougars are back in the top spot with all 16 first place votes.

Bethel is one of six Mid-South Conference schools ranked in the Top 25. Lindsey Wilson is No. 4, Reinhardt is No. 7, Georgetown is No. 9, Cumberlands (KY) is No. 17 and Southeastern is No. 18.  

Bethel is one of fifteen teams ranked in the Top 25 that are undefeated. 

Bethel Coach Brent Dearmon commented, "Our players have worked hard to get this national recognition. We are excited about getting Bethel back into the national spotlight but also realize we still have a long way to go to reBUild this program." 

For a complete look at the poll visit:  http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=640523&SPID=96219&DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=211771361