SLU finishes 12th, 19th in final FCS polls

HAMMOND, La. – For the fourth consecutive season, the Southeastern Louisiana University football team finished ranked in the final FCS polls released Monday.

SLU is one of three FCS schools to be ranked in the last four final polls, along with the last two national champions – South Dakota State and North Dakota State. The Lions finished 12th in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and were picked 19th in the AFCA FCS Coaches Top 25.

Southeastern was one of two Southland Conference schools to finish ranked in both polls. National semifinalist UIW, which SLU defeated, 41-35, in September, was voted third on both lists. South Dakota State was the unanimous No. 1 in both polls after Sunday’s 45-21 championship game over North Dakota State.

The Southland Conference champion Lions finished 9-4 on the season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA FCS playoffs for the third time in the past four years. 2022 SLC Coach of the Year Frank Scelfo’s squad will return SLC Offensive Lineman of the Year and FCS All-American John Allen, along with fellow all-conference selections Austin Dunlap, Ivan Drobocky, Dom Serapiglia III, Jhy Orgeron, Riley Callaghan, Arlen Williams and Donte’ Daniels.

Scelfo expects the growth and success of the program to continue.

“We’re on solid ground moving forward,” Scelfo said. “We had a goal to consistently win on a national level and we’ve done that. As we continue to take steps forward, the commitment the university is showing with the new athletic building is vital. We’re all working together to continue growing this program and if we can keep doing that, we’ll continue the on-field success.”

Scelfo also reiterated his commitment to continue to build the program with in-state products first. Of Southeastern’s 20 signees last month, 16 were from Louisiana.

“We’re going to continue to get quality players through recruiting,” Scelfo commented. “We’re able to bring in young men who want to be here at Southeastern. We have a great coaching staff here and the retention of those coaches, as well as continuing the influx of talented student-athletes who are buying into what we’re doing is a program, are both critical to maintaining and building the strength of our culture.”

The Lions will hold spring practice Feb. 27-April 1. SLU opens the 2023 season at Mississippi State Sept. 2.

Stats Perform FCS Top 25

Team (First-place votes) Record Points Prv.

1. South Dakota State (54) 14-1 1,350 1

2. North Dakota State 12-3 1,288 4

3. UIW 12-2 1,218 5

4. Montana State 12-2 1,208 3

5. Sacramento State 12-1 1,140 2

6. Holy Cross 12-1 1,035 7

7. Samford 11-2 991 8

8. William & Mary 11-2 982 6

9. Weber State 10-3 936 9

10. Furman 10-3 865 11

11. Richmond 9-4 746 13

12. Southeastern 9-4 645 17

13. New Hampshire 9-4 632 15

14. Montana 8-5 589 19

15. Southeast Missouri 9-3 490 14

16. Jackson State 12-1 485 10

17. Elon 8-4 467 12

18. Idaho 7-5 388 18

19. Delaware 8-5 343 19

20. North Dakota 7-5 335 20

21. North Carolina Central 10-2 333 NR

22. Fordham 9-3 322 16

23. Chattanooga 7-4 171 21

24. Mercer 7-4 145 22

25. UC Davis 6-5 115 24

Others Receiving Votes: Gardner Webb 87, UT Martin 65, Eastern Kentucky 46, Rhode Island 34, Saint Francis 32, St. Thomas 13, Yale 13, Youngstown State 13, Austin Peay 12, Florida A&M 9.

AFCA Coaches FCS Top 25

Rk. School (First-place votes) Rec. Points Rk

1. South Dakota State (26) 14-1 650 1

2. North Dakota State (4) 12-3 622 4

3. UIW 12-2 565 7

4. Sacramento State 12-1 558 2

5. Montana State 12-2 545 3

6. Holy Cross 12-1 512 6

7. Samford 11-2 472 9

8. William & Mary 11-2 445 8

9. Weber State 10-3 432 10

10. Furman 10-3 419 11

11. Jackson State 12-1 364 5

12. Richmond 9-4 325 14

13. Southeast Missouri State 9-3 294 12

14. Montana 8-5 284 17

15. New Hampshire 9-4 276 16

16. Fordham 9-3 262 13

17. North Carolina Central 10-2 247 21

18. Elon 8-4 210 15

19. Southeastern 9-4 208 23

20. St. Thomas (Minn.) 10-1 120 19

21. Mercer 7-4 105 18

22. Idaho 7-5 100 24

23. Florida A&M 9-2 84 20

T24. Delaware 8-5 69 NR

T24. Chattanooga 7-4 69 22

Others Receiving Votes: North Dakota State 66, Gardner-Webb 46, Yale 35, UT Martin 16, Austin Peay 12, Princeton 12, UC Davis 6, Stephen F. Austin 5, Pennsylvania 4, North Carolina A&T 3, Eastern Kentucky 2, Youngstown State 2.