Sports Network Top 25  |  FCS Coaches Top 25  |

PHILADELPHIA – Eastern Illinois climbed among the teams also receiving votes in this week's Sports Network Top 25 while the Panthers were listed among the teams also receiving votes in the FCS Coaches Poll for the first time this season.

EIU is coming off a 65-15 win over Austin Peay that moved the Panthers to 3-2 overall, 2-0 in the OVC.  The win was the biggest over an OVC opponent and the 65 points was the fourth highest total in school history. 

The Panthers play at UT Martin, a team also receiving votes in the Sports Network Top 25 poll, this Saturday with a 2 p.m. kickoff.  EIU is the 12th team also receiving votes in the Sports Network poll which ranks them 37th in the nation.  EIU is the 10th team also receiving votes in the FCS Coaches poll which ranks them 35th.

North Dakota State remained the nation's number one team improving to 5-0 on the year.  The Bison are one of eleven FCS teams that are still undefeated.  Two of those schools Tennessee State (5-0) and Alabama A&M (5-0) are not ranked.  TSU did move into No. 24 in the FCS Coaches poll this week.  EIU and TSU do not play each other on the OVC schedule this season.

Montana State, Youngstown State, Old Dominion and James Madison completed the top five.  MSU, YSU and ODU are all undefeated this year.  Wofford remained sixth this week followed by Eastern Washington, Georgia Southern, Illinois State and Sam Houston State in the top ten.  Wofford and ISU have not lost this season.

Undefeated Lehigh is 11th followed by Towson, Stony Brook, New Hampshire, Appalachian State, Delaware, Eastern Kentucky, Northern Arizona, The Citadel and Cal Poly.  Cal Poly has not lost this year.  The final five schools in this week's Sports Network poll are McNeese State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Central Arkansas and undefeated Harvard. 

GAROPPOLO NAMED CFPA PERFORMER OF THE WEEK

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been named the College Football Performance Awards National Performer of the Week following his efforts in the Panthers 65-15 win over Austin Peay.  Garoppolo threw for 453 yards and five touchdowns.  The 453 yards are the fourth best single game mark in school history.  It was the third time this year Garoppolo has passed for five touchdowns in a game.  He was named the OVC Offensive Player of the Week.