KANSAS CITY/CHICAGO --- The University of St. Francis football program received a double jolt of good news Monday evening with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' (NAIA) announcement that the Saints have made their way into the national rankings and the Mid-States Football Association's release that freshman quarterback Sam Tumilty has repeated as the Midwest Division's Offensive Player of the Week.

Following its 43-30 upset victory of NAIA No. 17-ranked Olivet Nazarene University on Saturday, head coach Joe Curry's team cracked the Top 25 at No. 21 this week with its 5-2 record.  In league play, the Saints are the only unbeaten in either division at 5-0.   

The ranking marks the first time in the polls for USF since opening at No. 14 to start the 2016 campaign.

The Saints were one of four previously-unranked teams to gain the recognition this week earning 84 points.  Saint Xavier is the only other MSFA Midwest team in the poll at No. 14 after Olivet Nazarene dropped out of the rankings following Saturday's loss.

On the conference front, Tumilty gained the repeat honors as the league's top offensive performer after producing his first collegiate double-double with his 241 yards rushing (30 carries) and a season-high 202 yards passing on 8-of-14 efficiency.  His first of three touchdowns – 25 yards – in the second half enabled the Saints to take the lead for good, while his third one on a 77-yard scamper sealed the deal.  He also scored from 13 yards and passed for a touchdown that went for 65 yards.

In three of his last four games, Tumilty has rushed for better than 200 yards and has reached the end zone 11 times during that four-game stretch.  For the season, he ranks third in the nation in rushing yards per game (147.7) and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns with 13.  He has also eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark with his 1,034 yards in just seven contests this season.

The Saints are on the road Saturday when they head up to Arlington Heights, Ill. to face Roosevelt University in a MSFA Midwest League matchup.  Kickoff is set for 3 pm.

To view the national rankings, click here.