SIOUX FALLS - The Victory Sports Network (VSN) has released its preseason NAIA Football Top 25 poll with the University of Sioux Falls at No. 3. Carroll College, who defeated the Cougars in the NAIA National Championship game 17-9, landed in the top spot. Ohio Dominican garners VSN's No. 2 ranking, a spot it held for seven weeks last season.
Black Hills State University, the two-time defending Dakota Athletic Conference champion begins the season at No. 10.
The Yellow Jackets will open fall camp with nearly 90 players on its roster including several key returners as it looks for a third conference title, and hopes to advance out of the first round of the playoffs.
Missouri Valley and St. Francis (Ind.) round out the top 5. The Cougars return 11 starters from 2007's 13-1 team. USF will be looking to reach the NAIA title game for the third straight season. USF led the Great Plains Athletic Conference in 12 statistical categories in 2007.
Sioux Falls is led by fourth-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, who has a 38-3 record and a 9-2 postseason mark in three seasons. The Cougars open their season Sept. 6 on the road against Nebraska Wesleyan University at 6 p.m.
The Victory Sports Network will help kickoff the NAIA football season on Aug. 30 in Platte City, Mo., as they host the "First Down Classic." Doane College (Neb.) and William Jewell (Mo.) will kickoff at 7 p.m.
