BY RALPH VENTRE
Four teams notched road victories over Division I Football Bowl Subdivision members in Week 2 and all four rose up the national rankings as a result.
Holy Cross and Eastern Kentucky boosted their position on Talking Pigskin’s Stats Perform Division I FCS Top 25 ballot by notching exhilarating victories over Mid-American Conference programs.
The Crusaders, who jumped up seven places to No. 13 on the ballot, broke a 31-31 tie at Buffalo when Matthew Sluka’s Hail Mary pass was caught for a touchdown on the final snap of the fourth quarter.
EKU outlasted Bowling Green, 59-57, in SEVEN OVERTIMES to earn a FBS win and rise from No. 21 up to No. 15 on the ballot.
Weber State broke into our Top 25 at No. 16 after manhandling FBS member Utah State. Incarnate Word leapt from No. 14 to No. 10 on the heels of its 55-41 triumph over Nevada.
South Dakota State survived, posting a two-point victory over Dan Hawkins’ UC Davis team to retain the No. 1 spot on Talking Pigskin’s Stats Perform Division I FCS Top 25 ballot.
The SDSU Jackrabbits were coming off a season-opening 7-3 setback at Big Ten member Iowa.
Meanwhile, North Dakota State out-classed its FCS opponent for the second week in a row.
Missouri State and Bobby Petrino have landed in the Top 5 following a 35-30 win over a ranked UT Martin team.
CAA member Rhode Island rose three spots to No. 21 while simultaneously knocking Ocean State rival Bryant out of Talking Pigskin’s Top 25. Rhody posted a 35-21 win at Bryant, which took FBS member Florida International into overtime one week earlier.
North Dakota cracked the Talking Pigskin list for the first time this season following a victory over previously-ranked Northern Iowa.
Talking Pigskin FCS Top 25 Ballot (Ralph Ventre – Week 2)
25. Fordham
24. New Hampshire
23. Stephen F. Austin
22. Southeastern Louisiana
21. Rhode Island
20. Samford
19. UT Martin
18. North Dakota
17. Richmond
16. Weber State
15. Eastern Kentucky
14. William & Mary
13. Holy Cross
12. Eastern Washington
11. Chattanooga
10. Incarnate Word
9. Jackson State
8. Delaware
7. Sacramento State
6. Villanova
5. Missouri State
4. Montana State
3. Montana
2. North Dakota State
1. South Dakota State
TALKING PIGSKIN 
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