[Football] Grand View Moves up One Spot to No. 9
Kansas City, Missouri – Coaches rated the Grand View University Viking football team No. 9 in the latest NAIA Football Coaches' Top-25 Poll.
Grand View defeated Missouri Valley College on Saturday 20-13 to retain Odin's Helmet, a traveling trophy when the two Vikings football teams match up. Grand View has yet to relinquish the trophy since joining the Heart of America Conference and their record stands at a perfect 4-0.
The Viking offense has been managed well on a strong balance of run and pass plays. Quarterback Ben Ferkin (SO/Waukee, IA./ Waukee HS) continues to make great decisions. The sophomore ranks No. 11 in pass efficiency with a 168.5 rating, which takes all passing statistics and combines them into a single number. Jerry Lowe (JR/Tama, IA./ South Tama HS.) has been taking care of business on the ground attack. The last 3 games Lowe has average 135 yards and a touchdown per game.
The Grand View defense continues to be anchored by their stout run defense. The unit is only allowing 42.8 yards/game rushing, which is the fewest in the country. The defense allows a total of 284.3 yards/game, which is No. 11 in the NAIA. Ben Slavens (JR/Bettendorf, IA./ Pleasant Valley HS) leads the defense is tackles at 9.5/game. He also leads the Vikings with 3 sacks.
Kicker Brady Jansen (JR/Johnston, IA./Johnston HS) continues to be a great weapon for the Vikings. Jansen is 8/9 from field goal attempts for an 89% field goal percentage. His 8 makes put him at No. 4 in total field goals in the country.
Following St Francis' first loss in over a year, Morningside College took over as the new No. 1. The Mustangs hold the longest active streak of appearances on the Top-25 with 143-straight mentions. Other Heart of America teams that made the Top-25 Poll were: Evangel (8), Benedictine (12), and Baker (17). The full rankings can be seen below.
Grand View hosts MidAmerica Nazarene next Saturday, October 6th at Duke Williams Stadium for Homecoming 2018. MidAmerica is 2-4 after a 19-24 loss to the Peru State Bobcats over the weekend. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. The Pioneers are powered by their running back, Jamar Moya, and quarterback, Austin Blackston, who are ranked in the Top-10 in total rushing and pass efficiency respectively. MidAmerica will provide a great test for a defense that has stuffed opposing ball carriers and opportunistically forced turnovers from the quarterback.
You can click HERE for a link to all of the Homecoming activities planned for the weekend. Check back with gvvikings.com for a complete recap and follow the Vikings on social media (@VikingAthletics) for in-game updates.