It was announced earlier today that the University of Redlands football team landed among the best in the NCAA Division III as determined by D3football.com and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The Bulldogs were tabbed No. 19 by D3football.com and No. 20 by the AFCA. Redlands is the only Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) school included in this week's rankings on either poll.

The Maroon and Gray gain these national rankings on the heels of last Saturday's win over No. 11 Linfield College (OR). The Bulldogs struck first on a 46-yard field goal from senior kicker Alex Raya (Jamul, CA) and never looked back, winning the dogged game, 27-19. Redlands topped Linfield on 313 yards of total offense including 139 in the air and 174 yards rushing. The team also won the time of possession battle, controlling the ball for nearly 40 minutes.

The Bulldog defense inhibited the Wildcats' ground game, holding them to an exceptionally low, -1.4 average yards rushing. The defense also contributed three sacks for a combined 22-yards lost. Junior linebacker Matthew Betancourt (San Bernardino, CA) led the team with nine tackles. On special teams, senior defensive lineman Elias Hackney (Santa Monica, CA) came up with a huge blocked point-after attempt while junior wide receiver Noah McFadden (Puyallup, WA) batted down a punt that led to a Redlands touchdown on the ensuing play.

Not only did Redlands defeat Linfield College for the first time, they captured Head Coach Mike Maynard's 200th career win. With this victory, Maynard is now only one of seven active DIII coaches to amass 200 or more wins and is the 92nd college football coach to garner this achievement all-time.

Redlands strives to maintain this momentum into the bye week, as it prepares for an October 5 contest against Pomona-Pitzer Colleges at home at 7 p.m.

To find both top-25 lists, please visit the D3football.com and AFCA websites.