Photo Courtesy of Dan Cook

NEWARK, Del. -- National voters must have been impressed by the University of Delaware football’s team showing in its season-opening 14-7 loss at the University of Maryland Saturday.

The two major national polls were announced Tuesday and the Blue Hens (0-1) moved up in both, improving to No. 6 in The Sport Network poll and to No. 7 in the Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll.

Last week, the Blue Hens were picked No. 9 in The Sports Network media poll and No. 10 in the FCS Coaches poll.

Delaware enjoys a bye week this Saturday and will return to action Sept. 13 when the Hens host long-time NCAA Division II rival West Chester in the home opener at Delaware Stadium. Less than 400 tickets remain for the game.

Appalachian State, which lost to LSU 41-13 in its opener Saturday, remained at No. 1 in The Sports Network while North Dakota State, which defeated Austin Peay 41-6 Saturday, moved past Appalachian State to No. 1 in the FCS Coaches poll.

The Colonial Athletic Association once again dominated the polls, placing four teams in the top 10 and six in the Top 25 in both polls.

In The Sports Network poll, Appalachian State earned 62 first place votes to edge North Dakota State (42). Richmond was third with four first place votes followed by Massachusetts, Montana (one first place vote), Delaware, Eastern Washington, James Madison, Northern Iowa, and McNeese State in the top 10. Cal Poly was at No. 11 followed by Southern Illinois, Wofford, Youngstown State, New Hampshire, Georgia Southern, Elon, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, The Citadel, South Dakota State, Central Arkansas, Villanova, Eastern Kentucky, and Harvard.

In the FCS Coaches poll, North Dakota State had 13 first place votes and was followed by Appalachian State (12), Richmond (1), Massachusetts, Northern Iowa, Montana, Delaware (1), James Madison, McNeese State, and Eastern Washington in the top 10. Cal Poly (1) was at No. 11 followed by Southern Illinois, Wofford, Youngstown State, New Hampshire, Georgia Southern, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Elon, Villanova, South Dakota State, Eastern Kentucky, The Citadel, Central Arkansas, and Harvard.

Junior quarterback Robby Schoenhoft (at right) threw for 124 yards in his Delaware debut Saturday vs. Maryland.

AGATE:

The Sports Network Top 25 Poll for September 1, 2008: 1. Appalachian State (62 first place votes); 2. North Dakota State (42); 3. Richmond (4); 4. Massachusetts; 5. Montana (1); 6. Delaware; 7. Eastern Washington; 8. James Madison; 9. Northern Iowa; 10. McNeese State; 11. Cal Poly; 12. Southern Illinois; 13. Wofford; 14. Youngstown State; 15. New Hampshire; 16. Georgia Southern; 17. Elon; 18. Western Illinois; 19. Eastern Illinois; 20. The Citadel; 21. South Dakota State; 22. Central Arkansas; 23. Villanova; 24. Eastern Kentucky; 25. Harvard.

Among others receiving votes: Furman, Delaware State, Albany, Hofstra.

Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll for September 1, 2008: 1. North Dakota State (13 first place votes); 2. Appalachian State (12); 3. Richmond (1); 4. Massachusetts; 5. Northern Iowa; 6. Montana; 7. Delaware (1); 8. James Madison; 9. McNeese State; 10. Eastern Washington; 11. Cal Poly (1); 12. Southern Illinois; 13. Wofford; 14. Youngstown State; 15. New Hampshire; 16. Georgia Southern; 17. Western Illinois; 18. Eastern Illinois; 19. Elon; 20. Villanova & South Dakota State; 22. Eastern Kentucky; 23. The Citadel; 24. Central Arkansas; 25. Harvard.

Among others receiving votes: Delaware State, Furman, Hofstra, Maine..