The University of Redlands football program moved up the D3football.com and American Football Coaches Association Top-25 polls, marking improvement on every poll so far this season.

Redlands gains its highest ranking in its NCAA Division III history by rising two spots to No. 13 on the third D3football.com list of 2011. The Bulldogs also jumped into the No. 18 position on the second AFCA poll of the season, improving four spots during their idle week.

Redlands enjoyed a bye week this past weekend after defeating regional opponent Whitworth University (Wash.), 30-20, on September 17.

Against the Pirates, junior quarterback Chad Hurst and sophomore wide receiver Taylor Irwin headlined the offense attack with Hurst tossing four touchdowns and Irwin leading the team with 99 yards on eight catches and one score.

On the defensive side of the ball, Redlands forced three Whitworth fumbles, two of which led to scores for the Bulldogs. Junior linebacker Jordan Garcia came up with a team-leading 10 hits, including two for a loss of six yards.

The Bulldogs (2-0) travel to Thousand Oaks for the opening Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) game of the season on Saturday. Redlands kicks off against Cal Lutheran University, which boasts a ranking of 20th on the aforementioned polls.

Game time is set for 7 p.m.

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