AFCA Top 25 Poll

WACO, Texas - Colorado School of Mines will begin the season ranked #2 in the AFCA Division II Coaches' Preseason Top 25 poll, setting up a pair of top-five clashes to start the 2023 season.

It is the highest preseason poll showing ever for the Orediggers, who are coming off an appearance in the NCAA Division II national championship game last season and a 13-3 record. Under first-year head coach Pete Sterbick, Mines will again embark on one of the nation's toughest schedules, hosting #3 Grand Valley State on Aug. 31 before visiting #5 Angelo State on Sept. 9. RMAC foes CSU Pueblo and Western Colorado also received votes in the AFCA poll.

Mines' previous best AFCA preseason poll showing was #4 last year; the #2 spot ties the Orediggers' best-ever ranking in any poll as they begin 2023 where they finished 2022. Mines was also selected as the RMAC's preseason favorite last week.

The Orediggers return a veteran-filled squad that includes 18 starters, including national player of the year John Matocha at quarterback, the nation's leading returning receiver in Max McLeod, all but one member of the offensive line two-deep, and eight all-RMAC starters from a defense that led all of college football in sacks last year. The Orediggers have 17 sixth-year seniors on the roster.