AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta State is ranked fifth in the nation in the first regular-season NABC/Division II Coaches Poll, released on Tuesday afternoon from the national headquarters in Kansas City, Mo.

The ranking marks the first-ever appearance in the top five for the Jaguars, who travel to Aiken, S.C., to meet undefeated USC Aiken on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the new USCA Convocation Center.

The USCA Athletic Department is wrapping up its first “Community Coat Drive” with Wednesday’s doubleheader between the Jags and Pacers. Fans are encouraged to bring gently worn (or new) coats to the men’s or women’s game. As a token of appreciation, USCA will give each person one free admission to the games.

Winona State’s first regular season loss in nearly two years paved the way for Bentley (Mass.) to move into the top spot in the poll. The Falcons, whose 4-0 start to the season includes a 25-point win over defending national champion Barton, are followed by Grand Valley State, Northwest Missouri State, Findlay, Augusta State and South Dakota. The top six teams have a combined record of 26-0 through Sunday’s action.

Winona State dropped to No. 7 this week, the first time the Warriors have been ranked below No. 1 since the end of the 2005-06 season.

NABC/Division II Coaches Poll

                                              Record      Points     Pvs

1.    Bentley, Mass. (6)                      4-0         196         2
2.    Grand Valley State (Mich.) (1)          6-0         190         3
3.    Northwest Missouri State (1)            5-0         180         4
4.    Findlay (Ohio)                          3-0         168         5
5.    AUGUSTA STATE                           3-0         163         6
6.    South Dakota                            5-0         161         7
7.    Winona State (Minn.)                    6-1         152         1
8.    Rollins (Fla.)                          4-0         141         17
9.    Cal State-San Bernardino                5-0         118         NR
10.   Emporia State (Kan.)                    3-0         101         23
11.   Drury (Mo.)                             3-0         96          22
12.   Virginia Union                          0-0         93          11
13.   Seattle (Wash.)                         4-0         83          NR
14.   St. Cloud State (Minn.)                 5-0         75          NR
15.   Mount Olive (N.C.)                      3-0         68          NR
16.   Barton (N.C.)                           2-1         65          12
17.   Christian Brothers (Tenn.)              4-1         63          21
18.   Southwestern Oklahoma State             5-0         56          NR
19.   St. Michael’s (Vt.)                     4-0         52          NR
20.   Brigham Young-Hawaii                    0-0         49          25
21.   Central Oklahoma                        3-1         44          19
22.   Central Missouri                        3-0         41          NR
23.   West Georgia                            4-0         39          NR
24.   Wisconsin-Parkside                      3-0         35          NR
25.   Fairmont State (W.Va.)                  4-0         31          NR

Records are through games of Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007.