FRISCO – UIW, Nicholls, and Stephen F. Austin all landed in the Top 25 of the Stats Perform and AFCA polls heading into Week 2, as announced Monday and Tuesday by both organizations.

UIW dropped to No. 12 in the Stats Perform Poll and No. 9 in the AFCA Poll after a Week 0 loss to Nicholls in Thibodaux, 20-6. The Cardinals bounced back in their home opener Saturday, rolling past Big Sky opponent Eastern Washington 31-21 behind 332 passing yards from Richard Torres. UIW is idle this week before returning for the Battle of San Antonio against UTSA.

Nicholls entered the Top 25 at No. 22 in the Stats Perform Poll and No. 25 in the AFCA Poll. The Colonels upset then-No. 5 UIW by two touchdowns in Week 0 before putting up a competitive showing at FBS Troy on Saturday. Nicholls led 20-17 in the fourth quarter before the Trojans pulled away with three unanswered touchdowns. The Colonels began last season in the Top 25 but fell out after dropping their first three games. They’ll host West Georgia on Saturday, a team currently receiving votes in the AFCA Poll.

SFA dropped two spots to No. 25 in the Stats Perform Poll and held steady at No. 23 in the AFCA Poll. The Lumberjacks are coming off a season-opening loss at Houston. A Top 25 matchup awaits in Week 2, as SFA travels west to face No. 16/17 Abilene Christian, which held its preseason ranking despite a season-opening defeat at Tulsa.

Southeastern and McNeese both received votes in the AFCA Poll. The Lions fell in their opener at FBS Louisiana Tech and will hit the road again for their first FCS contest against Murray State. McNeese opened the season with a dominant win over Louisiana Christian in Matt Viator’s return and will face long-time rival Louisiana, an FBS opponent, on Saturday.