For the first time in 39 seasons, the Kent State football team finds itself listed among the 25 best teams in the country.

The Flashes are ranked No. 25 in the weekly Associated Press poll of college football teams released Sunday afternoon. Kent State, who defeated Miami 48-32 Saturday for its eighth straight victory, is 9-1 overall and a perfect 6-0 against Mid-American Conference teams this season.

The last time the Flashes were ranked in the AP Top 25 was Nov. 5, 1973 when the team cracked the rankings at No. 19 in the nation. The Flashes finished that season with a record of 9-2.

While it may be a rare occurrence for the Flashes, head coach Darrell Hazell still has his eyes squarely set on the team’s remaining games and challenges.

“We’ll worry about the rankings when the season’s over with,” Hazell said. “We don’t have time to concern ourselves with rankings right now.”

The players continue to focus on their goals as well, as junior defensive tackle Roosevelt Nix said winning a conference championship is still more important to the team than being ranked.

“We still have two MAC games left,” Nix said. “I mean, it’s great, but we still have to be the best in the MAC.”

Senior offensive lineman Josh Kline echoed the statement, and he said the team is looking for more.

“I don’t think the team is satisfied just being ranked in the top 25,” Kline said. “We still have a goal out there to win the MAC, and that’s all we’re worried about this week.”

The Flashes are a game ahead of the Bowling Green Falcons in the MAC East Division standings, with games against the Falcons and the Ohio Bobcats remaining on their schedule.

If the Flashes clinch the division lead, they will face the West Division leader in the MAC Championship game Nov. 30 at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.

Contact Tim Dorst at [email protected].