PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Following another thrilling last-second victory, Plymouth State University climbed two spots to fourth in the latest Grinold Chapter New England Division III Football Coaches Poll, the organization announced Tuesday.
 
The Panthers improved to 4-0 (3-0 MASCAC) after a dramatic 14-10 Homecoming win over Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Saturday. PSU earned 79 points in the poll, just three behind third-ranked University of New England (82).
 
Salve Regina (4-0) secured the top spot with nine first-place votes and 105 points. Endicott was second with 92 points and one first-place vote, while Plymouth State was the only other program to receive a first-place vote.
 
MASCAC rival Framingham State moved up to eighth, with Anna Maria appearing in the receiving votes section. Fitchburg State and Mass. Maritime both dropped out of the rankings.
 
Plymouth State's latest win came in dramatic fashion. Trailing 10-7 with under two minutes to play, the offense converted both a fourth-and-10 and third-and-10 to keep the drive alive before junior Jacob Morris (Kennebunk, Maine) hauled in a 2-yard touchdown pass with just five seconds left. Classmate Greg Berthiaume (North Attleboro, Mass.) then sealed the win with an interception on the final play.
 
The New England Division III Football Poll is presented by the Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation, which also serves as the title sponsor of the weekly Gold Helmet Awards presented by the New England Football Writers Association throughout the season.
 
A panel representing four New England Division III playing conferences serves as the voters in this year's poll. Rankings will be released each week through November 18th. For more information on the Grinold Chapter of the National Football Foundation, visit www.grinoldchapter.com.