HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team closed out the 2025 season ranked 19^th in the final polls from both Stats Perform and the AFCA released Tuesday.
 
Southeastern finished the season ranked in both polls for the fifth time in eight seasons under two-time Southland Conference Coach of the Year Frank Scelfo. The Lions also were ranked each season from 2019-22.
 
SLU advanced to the FCS playoffs for the sixth time in program history after a 9-4 season that saw the Lions finish 7-1 in Southland Conference play. Over the last two seasons, Southeastern boats a league-best 13-2 mark in conference games and is 16-5 versus FCS competition.
 
All three Southland Conference playoff teams were ranked in both polls. SFA, which advanced to the quarterfinals, finished ranked seventh by both Stats Perform and the AFCA. Lamar finished the year 24^th in the Stats Perform poll and 21^st in the AFCA Coaches poll. League newcomer UTRGV received votes in both polls.
 
SLU will open spring practice for the 2026 season Feb. 24.
 
AFCA FCS Coaches Top 25
School (First-place votes) | Rec. | Points | Prev.
1. Montana State (21) | 14-2 | 525 | 2
2. Illinois State | 12-5 | 504 | 17
3. Montana | 13-2 | 472 | 4
4. Villanova | 12-3 | 427 | 6
5. North Dakota State | 12-1 | 426 | 1
6. Tarleton State | 12-2 | 419 | 5
7. SFA | 11-3 | 369 | 10
8. UC Davis | 9-4 | 359 | 11
9. Lehigh | 12-1 | 358 | 3
10. Rhode Island | 11-3 | 304 | 9
11. South Dakota | 10-5 | 295 | 20
12. ACU | 9-5 | 257 | 14
13. Yale | 9-3 | 235 | 21
14. South Dakota State | 9-5 | 209 | 18
15. Tennessee Tech | 11-2 | 206 | 7
16. North Dakota | 8-6 | 192 | 23
17. Youngstown State | 8-5 | 190 | 13
18. Mercer | 9-3 | 186 | 8
19. Southeastern | 9-4 | 172 | 15
20. Monmouth | 9-3 | 112 | 16
21. Lamar | 8-5 | 105 | 24
22. Jackson State | 9-3 | 103 | 12
23. Harvard | 9-2 | 78 | 19
24. West Georgia | 8-3 | 68 | 22
25. South Carolina State | 10-3 | 59 | NR
 
Others Receiving Votes: New Hamsphire 35, Lafayette 30, Southern Illinois 29, UTRGV 20, Prairie View 16, Central Connecticut State 15, Richmond 15, Alabama State 10, Presbyterian 10, Southern Utah 5, Austin Peay 2.  
 
Stats Perform FCS Top 25
School (First-place votes) | Rec. | Points | Prev.
1. Montana State (56) | 14-2 | 1,400 | 2
2. Illinois State | 12-5 | 1,327 | T17
3. Montana | 13-2 | 1,271 | 3
T4. Villanova | 12-3 | 1,181 | 9
T4. North Dakota State | 12-1 | 1,181 | 1
6. Tarleton State | 12-2 | 1,112 | 5
7. SFA | 11-3 | 992 | 10
8. UC Davis | 9-4 | 985 | 11
9. South Dakota | 10-5 | 947 | 12
10. Lehigh | 12-1 | 902 | 4
11. Rhode Island | 11-3 | 816 | 8
12. ACU | 9-5 | 711 | 13
13. South Dakota State | 9-5 | 686 | 16
14. North Dakota | 8-6 | 633 | 19
15. Yale | 9-3 | 628 | 24
16. Tennessee Tech | 11-2 | 607 | 6
17. Mercer | 9-3 | 584 | 8
18. Youngstown State | 8-5 | 433 | 14
19. Southeastern | 9-4 | 358 | T17
20. Harvard | 9-2 | 242 | 15
21. South Carolina State | 10-3 | 206 | NR
22. Monmouth | 9-3 | 187 | 21
23. New Hampshire | 8-5 | 165 | 22
 
24. Lamar | 8-5 | 159 | 25
25. Southern Illinois | 7-5 | 147 | 23
 
Others Receiving Votes: Prairie View 76, Jackson State 58, Alabama State 41, West Georgia 38, Austin Peay 29, Southern Utah 25, Drake 21, Central Connecticut State 18, Lafayette 16, Northern Arizona 11, UTRGV 3.  
 
2025 Southeastern opponents in bold italics
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and follow @lionupfootball on Instagram.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.