COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After wins over 19th-ranked Jones County, 42-20, and 9th-ranked Gulf Coast, 26-10, Northwest made a big leap up to No. 10 in the latest NJCAA Football Rankings released Wednesday. 

Northwest (2-0) is back in the NJCAA Top 10 for the first time since 2012, finishing that year No. 9 after a convincing win in the inaugural Brazos Valley Bowl under Ricky Woods. 

Despite rare back-to-back losing seasons, Northwest opened the 2015 season ranked 16th by the NJCAA and made a quick move into the Top 10 after a pair of victories over ranked opponents.

Northwest is averaging 465.5 yards and 34.0 points-per-game while holding opponents to 258.5 yards and 15 points-per-game. 

The Rangers open division play Thursday at home against Northeast (0-2) at 6:30 p.m.