HICKORY, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears moved up in this national poll this week, jumping up to #21 in this week's AFCA Rankings. This marks the 32nd straight week the Bears have appeared in the national poll.

The Bears took down Tusculum 28-7 on Saturday, holding the Pioneers to just 281 yards of total offense after they had 562 a week earlier against Bluefield State. Tusculum failed to record an offensive touchdown as their only score was a pick-six in the first quarter. The Bears on the other hand made plenty of big plays, as SAC Offensive Player of the Week Khamoni Robinson connected with his receivers for 41, 27, 80, and 49 yard touchdown passes. Robinson finished 13-for-22 with 280 yards, four touchdowns and an interception, and now leads the SAC with 295 passing yards/game. Songa Yates had 113 receiving yards with two touchdowns while LJ Turner and Zayvion Turner-Knox combined for 146 yards on the ground. Ben Watson finished with 14 tackles and 1.0 TFL. 

Fellow SAC school Carson-Newman jumped into the top-25 at #23 after their 59-0 defeat of South Carolina Central Christian on Thursday. Wingate, who had a bye week, received 59 votes and is just outside the top-25. 

The Bears will host Emory & Henry this week in a game that could have major playoff implications. The Wasps currently sit at 2-0 and won 35-7 over Catawba last week. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. from Moretz Stadium.