EMPORIA, Kan. – University of Central Missouri Mules Football was voted fourth in the 2025 MIAA Preseason Coaches' and Media Polls released on Monday morning, July 28, at MIAA Football Media Day in Emporia, Kansas.
The Mules received 57 points in the preseason coaches' poll and 239 points and one first-place vote in the preseason media poll.
Defending MIAA Champion Central Oklahoma was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the coaches' poll with 78 points and seven first-place votes, while Pittsburg State was chosen as the top team in the media poll with 310 points and 13 first-place votes.
The Gorillas were number two in the coaches' poll with 75 points and three first-place votes and the Bronchos were second in the media poll with 307 points and 18 first-place votes.
Fort Hays State ranked third in both polls, with 62 points in the coaches' poll and 271 points and two first-place votes in the media poll, while the Mules were fourth.
Emporia State (fifth in the coaches' poll with 50 points) and Northwest Missouri State (fifth in the media poll with 215 points) rounded out the top five in the polls.
The full polls are listed below.
The Mules are coming off a 2024 season that saw them post and overall record of 9-3 and finish tied for third in the MIAA with a conference mark of 6-3. UCM advanced to the postseason for a second straight season, defeating Texas Permian Basin in the Heritage Bowl in Corsicana, Texas, 39-37 in double overtime.
UCM is slated to kick-off its 2025 season with a road contest at Delta State in Cleveland, Miss., on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. Central Missouri's home opener is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. against Colorado State-Pueblo at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg, Mo.
2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Oklahoma [7] – 78 points
2. Pittsburg State [3] – 75 points
3. Fort Hays State – 62 points
4. Central Missouri – 57 points
5. Emporia State – 50 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 41 points
7. Missouri Western – 29 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 28 points
9. Washburn – 21 points
10. Missouri Southern – 9 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Pittsburg State [13] – 310 points
2. Central Oklahoma [18] – 307 points
3. Fort Hays State [2] – 271 points
4. Central Missouri [1] – 239 points
5. Northwest Missouri – 215 points
6. Emporia State – 167 points
7. Nebraska Kearney – 120 points
8. Missouri Western – 107 points
9. Washburn – 88 points
10. Missouri Southern – 46 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
Â
