WACO, Tex. – With the season opening on Sep. 2, the Western Oregon University football team is receiving votes in the first American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches' Poll.
The Wolves were one of 35 teams to tally at least a vote in the preseason poll, as they were joined by GNAC school Central Washington who collected 15 votes. Of the teams WOU is set to face this year, one is ranked in the top-25 (Colorado School of Mines, 10th). Others receiving votes include West Texas A&M (26 votes) and Chadron State (4 votes), in addition to the votes received by the Wildcats.
WOU is coming off of a historic 2019 season in which they secured their first share of a GNAC title after going 7-4 overall and 5-1 in conference play. After starting out 0-2, the Wolves went on a four-game winning streak picking up wins over Azusa Pacific, Central Washington, Simon Fraser and Texas A&M-Kingsville. Following a close overtime loss in the rematch against the Wildcats, WOU went on another strong winning streak picking up three victories versus Midwestern State, Simon Fraser and Azusa Pacific. The win over the Cougars helped secure a share of the GNAC title.
The Wolves will play 10 games during the 2021 season, with six on the road. The first four games of the season will be away from Monmouth, before the home opener arrives on Oct. 2 against West Texas A&M. WOU will play three of their four home games in October, also hosting Central Washington on Oct. 9 and Simon Fraser on Oct. 30. The final home game of the season will be on Nov. 13 against Lincoln out of California.
