ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western football team is ranked No. 24 in College Football America's Division II Preseason Top 30. Additionally, sophomore return specialist Trey Vaval was named to the publication's Division II Starting Lineup.
The Griffons went 9-3 last season, winning the Live United Bowl for the second consecutive year. The nine wins were the most for the program since 2012 and the 8-3 regular season record was the best for MWSU since 2013. The 2020 Griffons are set to return nine All-MIAA performers from a season ago, including Vaval.
Following his true freshman season, Vaval was named to All-America teams by the American Football Coaches Association, D2Football.com, Don Hansen Football Gazette and CoSIDA (D2CCA). The Blue Springs native was also named Don Hansen Super Region 3 Co-Freshman of the Year; first team D2CCA All-Reigion, first team Don Hansen All-Region, first team All-MIAA and Live United Bowl MVP. He led DII with 1,335 combined returned yards and ranked second in all of the NCAA in that category. His 34.3 yards per kick return broke a 27-year-old MIAA record and was the third best average in DII. He also ranked second in DII and broke the MIAA single season record by averaging 21.1 yards per punt return.
The 2020 Griffon football season is set to kick off on Sept. 12 at Northeastern State.
2020 College Football America Division II Preseason Top 30
1. Minnesota State
2. West Florida
3. Valdosta State
4. Ferris State
5. Slippery Rock
6. Lenoir-Rhyne
7. Notre Dame (OH)
8. Colorado Mines
9. Northwest Missouri State
10. Texas A&M-Commerce
11. CSU-Pueblo
12. Ouachita Baptist
13. Central Missouri
14. Indianapolis
15. Shepherd
16. Kutztown
17. Harding
18. Bowie State
19. Wingate
20. Indiana (PA)
21. Truman State
22. Henderson State
23. Sioux Falls
24. Missouri Western
25. Carson-Newman
26. West Chester
27. Lindenwood
28. Tiffin
29. Augustana (SD)
30. Miles
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