WACO, Texas - Minnesota State was ranked No. 8 in the final AFCA Division II Coaches Poll this week. The Mavericks fell to No. 1 Ferris State 52-29 in the NCAA quarterfinals and finished the season 10-4 overall, 7-3 in NSIC play. The Mavericks won two road playoff games in their run to the quarterfinals, defeating No. 12 Findlay 37-14 in the first round and No. 8 Indianapolis 35-27 in the second round.

Ferris State remained the top-ranked team in the nation after defeating No. 2 Harding 42-21 in the NCAA Division II National Championship in McKinney, Texas over the weekend. The Bulldogs, coached by Tony Annese have won four national titles in the past five seasons and finished 16-0 in 2025. 

Harding (15-1), Kutztown (14-1), Newberry (12-2) and UT Permian Basin (11-3) rounded out the top five. Minnesota State was the top ranked team in the NSIC in the rankings. Minnesota Duluth finished the season ranked No. 16.