The Phoenix have won three straight and have returned to the top tier of national rankings heading into Family Weekend.
Building upon a three-game winning streak, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ football team has returned to the top 25 nationally for the first time since spring 2021.
The jump into the national rankings follows a 35-31 win at No. 14 William & Mary on Saturday. The Phoenix have entered both the poll and the at No. 23.
ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ has won three consecutive games since a 42-31 loss to SEC opponent Vanderbilt University in the season opener. The Phoenix followed that with a 26-0 win at Wofford College and a 30-24 home victory over Gardner-Webb University. All three of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s wins came against teams that defeated the Phoenix in the most recent meetings between the programs.
On Saturday, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ posted its largest come-from-behind victory in its 23-year FCS history, rallying from a 28-10 halftime deficit against William & Mary. The Phoenix trailed 31-16 after three quarters but scored the final 19 points for the win.
ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ has not been in the top 25 since being ranked No. 24 on Feb. 27, 2021. The Phoenix lost the ensuing game to Gardner-Webb 42-20 and had not been back in the polls since.
ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ welcomes No. 17/21 Richmond to Rhodes Stadium Saturday at 2 p.m. for Family Weekend. The Spiders are also 3-1 on the season with only a season-opening loss to Virginia 34-17. It will be the only FCS game in the country this weekend featuring two ranked foes. It will be the first time ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ has played as a ranked team against a ranked team since being ranked No. 24 on Sept. 28, 2019 – a 45-10 loss to No. 2 James Madison.