INDIANAPOLIS – Fresh off of a Week 2 victory over nationally-ranked Ashland, Ohio Dominican’s presence in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top-25 Poll was further enhanced in the new edition released on Monday.
The undefeated Panthers (2-0, 0-0 G-MAC) continue to represent the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in impressive fashion while moving up five spots from 17th to 12th, the league’s best rating in the sport in less than three years.
Ohio Dominican passed its first test of the season with flying colors against California (PA), a Super Region 1 opponent.
And so as it seems, the Panthers are currently in control of their own destiny as they take aim at back-to-back league titles and a selection into the NCAA Championship bracket.
ODU has also had a strong presence in conference player of the week selections, earning two of the three positional selections in the first two weeks of the season.
Linebacker Ross Thompson and defensive lineman Tristan Kehres have each stepped up at their respective positions with big-time numbers and no one has been more sterling on special teams than sophomore punter Logen Neidhardt, already on a torrid pace to break his single-season net punting record in the league archives.
Thompson and Kehres have helped the unit rank third in run defense in the Great Midwest at this point in the season.
Ohio Dominican has enjoyed playing in front of the home crowd for the first two weeks of the season in Columbus. The Panthers will remain in their home confines to open conference play as Hillsdale pays a visit on Saturday.
Newcomer quarterback Shane Bucenell has been a steady force at the helm under center for the Panthers as he heads into Week 3 second in the league in pass efficiency.
Bucenell has grasped the offense quickly and in his latest exploits, he connected for a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes with senior Cory Contini in the win against Ashland.
Ohio Dominican started the season ranked 23rd in the preseason poll, moved to 17th following Week 1 and is entrenched at 12th after Week 2’s results.
The Week 4 matchup looms for Ohio Dominican on the road at Findlay for part of the NCAA Division II Showcase. The outcome in front of a national viewing audience would carry potentially serious implications for both teams as they chase postseason play.
Findlay dropped out of the top 25 following a loss on the road at No. 9 Ferris State. The Oilers (1-1, 1-0 G-MAC) are still receiving votes with 35 points in the balloting after being ranked in a tie for 19th a week ago.