Omaha Athletics

The Mavericks finished at No. 16 in the final American Football Coaches Assoociation poll of the season released today. It's the third straight year the Mavericks have been ranked among the Top 25 in the final poll.

The Mavericks finished the season 8-3 and were co-champions of the North Central Conference, losing their final game to No. 3 ranked Saginaw Valley State, 24-21.

Playoff champion Grand Valley State, the No. 1 team at the end of the regular season, maintained the top spot.

UNO ended the 2003 and 2004 seasons ranked at No. 24. UNO was also ranked No. 16 in the final 2001 poll. UNO has recorded 10 straight winning seasons under head coach Pat Behrns. Five 2005 opponents are ranked in the final poll: No. 2 Northwest Missouri State (W, 28-23); No. 3 Saginaw Valley State (L, 24-21); No. 8 North Dakota (W, 20-19); No. 17 South Dakota (L, 59-14), and No. 24 Nebraska-Kearney (W, 41-17).

The Final AFCA Poll
1. Grand Valley St., 14-0
2. Northwest Missouri St., 11-5
3. Saginaw Valley St., 9-2
4. North Alabama , 11-3
5. East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 11-3
6. Central Arkansas , 11-3
7. Bloomsburg (Pa.),11-1
8. North Dakota, 10-3
9. Albany St. (Ga.), 8-2
10. Presbyterian (S.C.), 10-2
11. Tuskegee (Ala.), 11-1
12. Pittsburg St. (Kan.), 10-4
13. Washburn (Kan.), 9-3
14. Valdosta St. (Ga.), 9-3
15. West Texas A&M, 10-2
16. Nebraska-Omaha, 8-3
17. South Dakota, 9-2
18. Northwood (Mich.), 9-3
19. North Carolina Central, 10-2
20. Shepherd (W.Va.), 11-1
21. Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 8-2
22. C.W. Post (N.Y.), 10-3
23. Angelo St. (Tex.), 9-3
24. Nebraska-Kearney, 9-3
25. Missouri Western St., 9-3