CHADRON, Neb. – For the first time this season, Chadron State broke into the top 25 of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll, marking the first time in over 12 years the Eagles have been included. 

In the Week 10 version of the 2025 poll, Chadron State earned a No. 22 national ranking from the voting panel. The Eagles entered the top 25 after defeating then-No. 11 Western Colorado 27-24 in overtime, CSC's eighth straight victory. 

Chadron State has not been ranked in the AFCA Poll since CSC was No. 19 on October 8, 2013. That year's Eagles were in the poll for the first five weeks of the season, starting at preseason No. 20 and staying between No. 19 and No. 21 for five subsequent ranking releases. 

On October 12, the No. 19 Eagles lost a homecoming game to No. 5 CSU Pueblo, fell out of the rankings and did not return despite posting an 8-3 record that year. The Eagles also won eight games in 2014, but were never ranked, and had not won eight games in a season until this year's squad at 8-2 so far.

Chadron State is one of four schools to enter the AFCA Top 25 this week, joining Benedict, Western Oregon and UNC Pembroke. The four newbies take up spots 22-25 in the rankings, making CSC the highest-ranked new entrant in the country. 

The Eagles got their first taste of being a nationally ranked team when the D2Football.com media poll put the Eagles at No. 22 ahead of their showdown with Western Colorado. This week, D2Football.com has the Eagles at No. 19. 

The chief rankings that matter are the NCAA regional rankings, which determine playoff qualification and seeding. Chadron State was ranked No. 7 in the initial rankings before the WCU game, with updated rankings expected later Monday.

Another big game is ahead for the Eagles this weekend, as CSC heads on the road to face CSU Pueblo (No. 5 AFCA, No. 7 D2Football). With both teams entering the game with unblemished 8-0 RMAC records, Saturday's game will be a winner-take-all showdown for the RMAC championship. CSU Pueblo is trying to win its second straight while Chadron State is searching for its ninth overall and first since 2008.