Sycamores nationally ranked

The Indiana State University football team returned to the national rankings following their defeat of Youngstown State University Saturday.

According to the The Sports Network/fathead.com Top 25 Poll, the Sycamores are ranked number 24.  The NCAA Division I Football Championships Subdivision Poll (FCS) ranked the Sycamores as number 23 in the nation.  This is the first time the team has made the poll since 1996 when the Sycamores ranked 21 on the list.

The defeat of Youngstown State University (37-35) put the Sycamores on a three game winning streak. Moving to 3-1 for the season the team is also undefeated at home. 

Sophomore running back Shakir Bell's record-breaking performance on Saturday earned him honors in both the Missouri Valley Football Conference and nationally.  The Sports Network named Bell National Co-Offensive Player of the Week and the MVFC honored Bell with the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

"It confirms that we had a good game, glad that I got nationally ranked but not just me but as a team we are nationally ranked, and I feel like just because I got the award the o-lineman got the award, the wide receivers that were down the field blocking also got the award," Bell said.

Bell rushed for 256 yards and four touchdowns against Youngstown State and claimed the number one spot on the Sycamores all-time best list for the number of rushing yards in a game by a player.   The previous record holder was Derrick Franklin who amassed 253 yards against Murray State in 1990.

In addition to the most number of rushing yards in a single game, Bell's performance broke the record for number of rushing touchdowns in a half by a Sycamore with a total of four. 

The awards continued as the College Sports Performance Awards also honored Bell as National Running Back Performer of the Week while teammate senior tight end Alex Jones was named the National Tight End Performer of the Week.

The Sycamores would look to remain nationally ranked as the team travels to South Dakota State, Brookings, S.D. Oct. 1.