LEXINGTON, Va. — For the first time since joining FCS college football , VMI is nationally ranked.
The Keydets, off to a 3-0 start for the first time since the 1981 season, are ranked No. 19 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll released Monday afternoon.
VMI topped Mercer 41-14 last Saturday in Lexington and is one of two remaining unbeaten teams in the Southern Conference standings. Chattanooga is 2-0.
The Keydets started receiving votes in the poll following their 14-13 season opener upset of #10 Furman in Lexington on February 27. It was the first Keydet victory over a nationally ranked opponent since 2002.
It’s been quite some time since the Keydets have gained the attention of a national voting committee. VMI finished the 1957 season ranked 20th in the Associated Press poll after going 9-0-1 under legendary coach John McKenna. The Keydets attained a ranking as high as 13th during that season.
In 1982, VMI reclassified into the Division I-AA ranks (later becoming FCS) . VMI never attained a national ranking as an FCS member, but did receive votes in 1991, 2002, and 2019.
The Keydets travel to Birmingham, Alabama this Saturday to face Samford (2-2). Kickoff will be 1 pm.
