HICKORY, N.C. - The final AFCA Division II poll was released and the Lenoir-Rhyne Football Team ranks No. 4 in the nation. The final ranking of No. 4 is the second-highest final ranking in program history, trailing the No. 2 ranking after losing in the National Championship in 2013.

LR tied a program record with 13 wins as they went 13-1 in 2019 and advanced to a second straight NCAA Quarterfinal game. For the second straight year, the Bears would fall to the eventual national champion as LR lost in the final minute to West Florida by a final score of 43-38.

LR owned the longest home winning streak in the nation as they won 15 straight inside Moretz Stadium before falling to West Florida. The Bears placed a team-record 15 players on the all-conference team and DE Jaquan Artis has piled up national awards. The Kinston, N.C. native has been a finalist for the Harlon Hill trophy, Gene Upshaw Award, Cliff Harris Award while being named D2CCA National Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-American.

The Bears won back-to-back SAC Championships and finished the decade with six championships, 83 overall wins and eight NCAA Playoff victories.

LR will enter the new decade led by Mike Jacobs. Jacobs, who was announced as the 23rd coach in program history on Sunday, owned a 42-8 record in four seasons at Notre Dame (Ohio) and advanced to the NCAA Semifinal in 2018 and NCAA Quarterfinal in 2019.