WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University football team ranks fifth in Super Region 1 in the first NCAA Division II Football Power Index (NPI), placing the Hilltoppers in the opening group of teams positioned for NCAA postseason consideration.

West Liberty holds the No. 26 national NPI ranking with a value of 55.810 in the first official release, published Sunday. The Hilltoppers are 6-1 overall and 4-0 in Mountain East Conference play following Saturday's 41-21 Homecoming victory over West Virginia Wesleyan.

The NCAA Power Index is a ranking system that evaluates teams based on game results and the strength of their opponents. Division II adopted the NPI for championship selection beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, providing a consistent framework for evaluating teams throughout the season. The rankings will continue to change as teams play additional games and opponents' NPI values are updated.

West Liberty is among five teams from Super Region 1 currently ranked inside the national top 26. Slippery Rock leads the region and the national rankings at No. 1 with an NPI value of 66.161, followed regionally by Kutztown at No. 8 nationally, East Stroudsburg at No. 15 and Virginia State at No. 24. The Hilltoppers are fifth in the region, ahead of Indiana (Pa.), Virginia Union, Johnson C. Smith, Franklin Pierce and Assumption.

The initial rankings also provide an early look at the regional postseason picture. Super Region 1 has eight available playoff positions, with automatic bids designated for the CIAA, Mountain East Conference, Northeast-10 Conference and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champions. Four additional positions are available through at-large selection based on the NPI.

West Liberty's 6-1 start has been fueled by five consecutive victories and a 4-0 mark in conference play. The Hilltoppers have won each of their four MEC games on the final possession, including three victories in which the outcome was decided in overtime or on the game's final drive. Saturday's win over West Virginia Wesleyan also featured a record-setting performance from senior running back Hunter Patterson, who rushed for 359 yards and three touchdowns while becoming the program's all-time leader in career touchdowns and scoring.

The Hilltoppers now enter the closing stretch of the regular season with three of their final four games scheduled on the road. West Liberty begins that stretch Saturday at Glenville State, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m., as it looks to continue building its postseason résumé under the NCAA's new selection system.


West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.