Wildcats Make Top-25 Debut, Rank No. 21 in Latest NAIA Poll
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – After picking up its fourth straight win on Saturday, the Baker football team entered the national rankings for the first time this season as the Wildcats came in at No. 21 in the latest NAIA Football Coaches' Top-25 Poll that was released on Monday.
The Wildcats defeated Missouri Baptist, 41-17 on the road on Saturday to move to 6-1 on the year and earn back-to-back wins against a Heart South opponent to start off conference play with a 2-0 record. Baker owns a couple of marquee wins this year with victories over then-No. 25 Graceland and (RV) MidAmerica Nazarene, both coming at home where the Wildcats are a perfect 4-0 inside Liston Stadium.
Baker boasts one of the nation's best defenses, ranking first in the NAIA with 17 interceptions and tied for third with four defensive touchdowns on the year. They have held opponents to 17 or fewer points in five of their seven games this season, including pitching a shutout against Clarke back on Sept. 9.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats offense has featured a balanced attack that utilizes its backfield to put away opponents in the second half. Baker averages over 185 rushing yards per game to go along with an air attack that has accounted for 12 touchdowns this year.
The newly-ranked Wildcats host their home regular-season finale this Saturday, Oct. 28 with a top-25 showdown against conference rival No. 14 Benedictine set to kick off at 1 p.m. in Baldwin City.
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