WACO, Texas (Sept. 15) – Aided by multiple top-10 teams being upset last week, the California (PA) football team jumped two slots to No. 8 in the latest American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25 poll on Monday afternoon.

The Vulcans claimed a 26-24 victory over West Chester in Week 2 last Saturday to open the year with back-to-back wins for the first time since 2021. Cal has ranked among the top 10 in the national poll in consecutive weeks for the first time since they reached as high as No. 3 in 2021 when it opened the year with eight-consecutive victories.

Cal continues to be one of three programs from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) featured in the national rankings – all in the top 10. Slippery Rock (2-0) remained at No. 4 after rallying for a 35-28 overtime victory against Shepherd on Saturday night, while Kutztown (2-0) moved up one position to No. 5 after cruising to a 34-0 win at Edinboro in Week 2.

Additionally, the remainder of Super Region One boasts a pair of teams from the CIAA in the top 25 this week. Johnson C. Smith (3-0) made its debut in the rankings this fall at No. 21, while Virginia Union (1-1) fell nine spots after suffering a last-second road loss over the weekend. Of note, Charleston (WV) (1-2) fell out of the rankings from No. 18 following a second-straight road loss to a nationally-ranked opponent on Saturday.

The Vulcans return to action on Saturday, Sept. 20, when they face Lock Haven at Adamson Stadium with kickoff at 12 p.m.