WACO, Texas — The Portland State football team received five votes in the latest AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, released Tuesday. It's the first time the Vikings have received votes in the poll since Oct. 16, 2023.
 
The Vikings may have earned some votes thanks to a narrow loss to sixth-ranked UC Davis in their season opener on Aug. 29. The Vikings led the Aggies 21-0 at halftime but couldn't hold off a comeback as the Aggies won, 31-24.
 
UC Davis is one of five Big Sky Conference teams ranked in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. Defending national champion Montana State tops the poll at No. 1 while Montana (2nd), UC Davis (6th), Northern Arizona (23) and Idaho State (24th) follow. Additionally, Cal Poly, Southern Utah and Eastern Washington were receiving votes in the poll along with Portland State.
 
The Vikings have yet to break into a national top 25. The last time they were ranked in either of the two major national polls – the STATS FCS and FCS Coaches Polls – was Sept. 19, 2016.
 
A win Saturday – over a North Dakota team ranked seventh in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll – may do it. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Hillsboro stadium.