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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team, 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the Northwest Conference, has moved into the #25 ranking in the D3football.com Top 25 following the Bearcats' 31-28 victory at Linfield College on Saturday, Nov. 1. Linfield, ranked #5 prior to the game, fell six spots in the poll and is now ranked #11.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 8-0, remained the #1 team in the nation with 22 of 25 first place votes and 622 points. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas), 8-0, stayed at #2 with one first place vote and 587 points. University of Mount Union (Ohio), 8-0, held its ranking at #3, just one point out of second with two first place votes and 586 points.

Wesley College (Mass.) kept the #4 ranking at 9-0 with 550 points in the poll. Wartburg College (Iowa) moved up one spot from #6 to replace Linfield at #5. Wartburg received 510 points.

The Bearcats gained 371 yards against Linfield on Saturday. Senior running back Dylan Jones (Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) led the way with 166 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries. His longest run was a 98-yard scamper for the Bearcats' final touchdown that set a new Willamette record for longest running play. Jones has rushed for 1,210 yards this season.

Willamette's defense limited the Wildcats to 317 total yards, well beneath their average prior to the game of 494.2 yards per game. The Bearcats forced Linfield into four turnovers, including three interceptions, and sacked quarterback Sam Riddle four times.

The next game for Willamette will be at Pacific University on Saturday, Nov. 8 in Forest Grove, Ore. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (PST). The Boxers are 5-2 overall and are in first place in the Northwest Conference standings with a 5-0 record in NWC play.