CLEVELAND – After knocking off No. 1-ranked Valdosta State 27-24 in double-overtime on their home turf, the Statesmen of Delta State University climbed into the top-10 in both the American Football Coaches Association Poll and the D2Football.com Media Poll, released Tuesday. 

The Statesmen climbed seven spots to No. 7 in the AFCA poll, while the Blazers fell from No. 1 to No. 10. The media voted Delta State into the No. 10 ranking, while Valdosta State only fell to No. 8. 

The new top-five in the AFCA Poll has Grand Valley State in the No. 1 spot, with fellow Gulf South Conference foe North Alabama moving up to No. 2. Abilene Christian and West Texas A&M are No. 3 and No. 4, with Northwest Missouri State climbing back into the top-five after a 35-10 victory over then No. 6-ranked Pittsburg State. Bloomsburg moved into the vacated No. 6 ranking, California (Pa.) is No. 8, Minnesota-Duluth is No. 9 and Valdosta State rounds out the top-10. 

The top-five in the D2Football.com poll is a mirror image of the AFCA poll, but the differences begin with the No. 6 ranking, where Central Washington currently sits. Bloomsburg is No. 7, Valdosta State is No. 8, Minnesota-Duluth is No. 9 and Delta State rounds out the top-10. 

The Statesmen will defend their top-10 rankings at home against the Tigers of West Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.