Football Slotted At No. 19 In AFCA Coaches Poll Prior To Meeting With No. 6 Lakers

The 2026 Week 2 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches Poll, released on Monday (Sept. 8) afternoon, has Ashland University's football team in the No. 19 spot going into its second game at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field in as many weeks.
 
Ashland (0-1) will play host to No. 6 Grand Valley State (2-0) on Saturday (Sept. 12) at 7 p.m., in the Eagles' Hometown Heroes Day / Ashland Football Hall of Famers and All-Americans Recognition game.
 
A camouflage text t-shirt is available for $16.99 through the AU Campus Store HERE, for fans to purchase prior to Saturday night's contest. Proceeds from the shirts will go to Ultimate Veteran Adventures.
 
"It's going to be one of the most talented teams we play all year," said Ashland head coach Doug Geiser of the Lakers. "Very explosive offensively. Really, really physical running the football. Defensively, they're strong, they're physical. They run to the ball."
 
Tuesday's poll marks the 100^th time the Eagles have been in the Top 25 of the AFCA rankings (since 2000).
 
Ashland-GVSU is one of three AFCA Top 25 match-ups this coming week, in addition to No. 1 Ferris State at No. 9 Central Washington, and No. No. 20 Michigan Tech at No. 24 Emporia State.
 
2026 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL AFCA COACHES POLL RANKINGS: No. 13 (preseason), No. 12 (Sept. 2), No. 19 (Sept. 8).