INDIANAPOLIS — The Pittsburg State University football team debuted at No. 5 in the first set of NCAA Division II Regional Rankings released Monday (Nov. 3).

The Gorillas (7-2) are one of two MIAA squads ranked in Super Region Four, which is comprised of the MIAA, Great American Conference (GAC), Lone Star Conference (LSC) and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

Harding (9-0, GAC) drew the No. 1 ranking while Lone Star member Central Washington (8-0, LSC) was ranked No. 2, MIAA member Northwest Missouri (8-1) was ranked No. 3, Rocky Mountain member Colorado State-Pueblo (8-1) was ranked No. 4. The remaining squads followed No. 5 Pitt State in positions six through 10:  6 Western Colorado (8-1, RMAC), No. 7 Chadron State (7-1, RMAC), No. 8 Western Oregon (6-1, LSC), No. 9 Texas Permian Basin (7-2, LSC) and No. 10 Southern Arkansas (6-3, GAC).

After the completion of regular season play on Nov. 15, the top eight teams in Super Region Four will qualify for the 32-team NCAA Division II national playoffs beginning Saturday, Nov. 22.

Pitt State will travel to Warrensburg, Mo., this Saturday (Nov. 8) to face Central Missouri and the Gorillas will close out the regular season by battling Northwest Missouri on Nov. 15 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.