Wingate, Tusculum, Newberry In First Football Regional Rankings

INDIANAPOLIS - Three South Atlantic Conference football teams are included in the first NCAA Division II regional football rankings.

Wingate University (6-0) is ranked second in Super Regional 2 (formerly the Southeast Region) in the initial NCAA Division II Football Regional Rankings, released Monday. Wingate is home this weekend against Lenoir-Rhyne. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m.

Tusculum College (4-2) is ranked fifth. Tusculum returns home this Saturday when it hosts Brevard for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff at the Niswonger Sports Complex and Pioneer Field.

Newberry College (3-2) is ranked sixth. Newberry is at Mars Hill this Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. contest. Newberry takes on Wingate on October 18 and Tusculum on October 25.

At the end of the season, the top six teams in each Super Regional will qualify for the NCAA Division II Football playoffs. Earned access to the playoffs can be gained by a conference if a conference representative finishes in the top eight of the final super regional rankings.

Delta State is the top-ranked team in the region, following last week's overtime victory at defending national champion Valdosta State. Wingate is second, followed by Valdosta State, North Alabama, Tusculum, Newberry, Arkansas Tech, Arkansas-Monticello, Benedict and Albany State.

NCAA Division II Super Regional 2 Rankings
as of October 6, 2008

1. Delta State University 4-1
2. Wingate University 6-0
3. Valdosta State University 4-1
4. University of North Alabama 6-0
5. Tusculum College 4-2
6. Newberry College 3-2
7. Arkansas Tech University 3-2
8. Univ. of Arkansas-Monticello 4-2
9. Benedict College 3-3
10. Albany State University 4-1