KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Benedictine Football moved up one spot on Monday as the NAIA announced the third edition of the STADIONIC NAIA Football Top 25 Coaches' Poll.

Benedictine, who sits at 4-1, after a shutout over St. Ambrose University this past Saturday, 34-0, moved up for No. 4 after jumping to No. 5 last week.

The Ravens continue to be the top-ranked program in the Heart of America Athletic Conference as Grand View University moved to No. 5 from No. 6. William Penn University dropped from No. 19 to No. 20 this week while Baker University – Benedictine's next opponent on Saturday – remained at No. 23 after moving to 4-0 on the year. 

Since its season-opening loss to current No. 7 Morningside University, the Ravens have stepped up their defensive scoring efforts. Since giving up 35 points in the opener, the Ravens have limited Peru State, William Penn, Grand View and St. Ambrose to a combined 30 points, with 17 of those coming in their 21-17 win over Grand View in Des Moines, Iowa, back on Sept. 19.

Headed into Saturday's match up with Baker, the Ravens are averaging 34 points per game while averaging 397 yards of total offense. They are currently ranked seventh in the NAIA in defensive scoring, holding opponents to just 13 points per game through their first six games of the season. 

The Ravens and the Wildcats renew their rivalry at 1 p.m. Saturday inside Larry Wilcox Stadium as they battle each other for the 44th time. The Wildcats are coming off a 56-14 home win over Culver-Stockton College this past Saturday. The point total marked a season high for the Wildcats.

Benedictine Football will be celebrating all of its alumni this weekend, but will be recognizing the following seasons during a halftime ceremony – 1976, 1991 and 2001. 

www.ravenathletics.com | #UnleashGreatness | www.benedictine.edu