By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team is ranked #24 this week in the NCAA Division III Poll released by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) on Monday, Oct. 8. The Bearcats, who are making their first appearance in the poll this season, were last ranked in the AFCA Coaches Poll on Sept. 27, 2010.

This year, the Bearcats own a 5-0 record following a 38-24 win over previously unbeaten Whitworth University on Saturday, Oct. 6. Willamette is ranked #1 in NCAA Division III in passing offense with 393.8 passing yards per game.

Quarterback Josh Dean (Jr., Dana Point, CA/Dana Hills HS) leads the individual national rankings in Division III with 375.0 passing yards per game. Dean has completed 143 of 214 passing (66.8%) for 1,875 and 22 touchdowns.

In this week's AFCA Poll, the #1 team is University of Mount Union (Ohio), 5-0, with 41 of 42 first place votes and 1,049 points. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas), 5-0, is ranked #2 with the remaining first place vote and 1,008 points. University of St. Thomas (Minn.), 5-0, is listed at #3 with 928 points. Linfield College, 4-0, is ranked #4 with 893 points. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater holds the #5 ranking with 856 points.

Willamette is the only new team in the NCAA Division III Poll this week. Wittenberg College (Ohio), ranked #20 a week ago, fell out of the poll after losing to #19 Wabash College (Ohio), 27-24, over the weekend. Wabash moved up one spot to #18 in this week's poll.

Linfield and Willamette are the only Northwest Conference teams in the rankings this week, although Pacific Lutheran University received votes. Overall, the poll included 13 undefeated team, plus 12 teams with one loss.

The Bearcats will play Lewis & Clark College at McCulloch Stadium this Saturday (Oct. 13) in an NWC game. Kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. (PDT).