Photo: Delaware WR Mark Mackey makes a one-handed touchdown catch vs. UMass (Photo by Mark Campbell)

PHILADELPHIA -- The University of Delaware football team, powered by consecutive wins of 27-17 over Maine and 43-27 over previous No. 12 ranked Massachusetts the past two weeks, made its first appearance in the national Top 25 polls this week as the Hens earned a No. 23 ranking in The Sports Network NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision rankings announced Monday.

The Blue Hens (4-2, 2-2 Colonial Athletic Association), who travel to unranked Towson (Md.) University this Saturday at 3:30 p.m., were one of seven CAA teams represented in the poll of media members and sports information directors who cover FCS football.

Delaware remained unranked in the weekly Collegiate Commissioner’s Association Coaches Poll announce Monday, but did earn 35 points to rank fourth among other teams receiving votes.

Delaware makes its first return to The Sports Network poll since last Oct. 6 when the Hens were ranked No. 24. That was also Delaware’s last appearance in the CCA Coaches Poll when the Hens reached the No. 20 spot.

Defending national champion and CAA champion Richmond, which escaped Delaware Stadium with a 16-15 win over Delaware back on Sept. 12, remained at the top spot in The Sports Network poll for the fifth straight week as they earned 119 of the 131 first place votes. Richmond also holds the top spot in the coaches poll, earning all 28 first place votes.

In The Sports Network poll, the Hens were joined by fellow CAA members Richmond at No. 1, No. 4 New Hampshire, No. 6 Villanova, No. 7 William & Mary, No. 16 James Madison, and No. 18 Massachusetts. Delaware has played or will play each of those teams this season except for New Hampshire.

AGATE:

The Sports Network Top 25 for Oct. 12: 1. Richmond (5-0), 3,253 points (119 first place votes); 2. Northern Iowa (5-1), 3,050 (11); 3. Montana (5-0), 2,936; 4. New Hampshire (5-0), 2,923 (1); 5. Southern Illinois (4-1), 2,646; 6. Villanova (5-1), 2,557; 7. William & Mary (5-1), 2,403); 8. Elon (5-1), 2,292; 9. Appalachian State (3-2), 2,219; 10. Central Arkansas (4-1), 2,129; 11. South Carolina State (4-1), 1,626; 12. Jacksonville State (4-2), 1,554; 13. McNeese State (3-2), 1,455; 14. South Dakota State (4-1), 1,345; 15. Weber State (3-3), 1,240; 16. James Madison (2-3), 1,134; 17. Colgate (6-0), 1,007; 18. Massachusetts (3-2), 950; 19. Cal Poly (2-3), 785; 20. Stephen F. Austin (4-1), 733; 21. Eastern Washington (4-2), 718; 22. Florida A&M (4-1), 547; 23. DELAWARE (4-2), 530; 24. Eastern Kentucky (3-2), 476; 25. Holy Cross (4-1), 342.

Collegiate Commissioner’s Association Coaches Top 25 Poll: 1. Richmond, 700 (28); 2. Montana, 657; 3. Northern Iowa, 645; 4. New Hampshire, 621; 5. Southern Illinois, 578; 6. Villanova, 549; 7. William & Mary, 530; 8. Central Arkansas, 501; 9. Elon, 462; 10. Appalachian State, 441; 11. McNeese State, 368; 12. South Carolina State, 359; 13. Jacksonville State, 332; 14. South Dakota State, 304; 15. Weber State, 258; 16. James Madison, 235; 17. Eastern Washington, 214; 18. Colgate, 208; 19. Cal Poly, 184; 20. Massachusetts, 178; 21. Stephen F. Austin, 155; 22. Florida A&M, 146; 23. Eastern Kentucky, 121; 24. Holy Cross, 53; 25. Eastern Illinois, 49. Next five also receiving votes: Northern Arizona, 42, Chattanooga, 38; Prairie View A&M, 37; Delaware 35; Montana State, 27.