There were nine changes to this week's poll, including newcomer No. 20 Friends (Kan.). The Golden State Athletic Conference still leads the way in representation with five teams earning national recognition in Azusa Pacific, Biola, No. 8 Concordia (Calif.), No. 14 Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) and No. 21 Vanguard (Calif.). The Cascade Collegiate Conference has a trio of teams in the poll with No. 6 College of Idaho, No. 13 Concordia (Ore.) and No. 23 Eastern Oregon. Five conferences have two teams represented, while the remaining ranked teams are a part of seven different conferences.

California State-San Marcos was awarded two first-place votes and holds down the No. 2 spot on 692 points. Thirty-five points back at No. 3 is Simon Fraser with 657. The Clan has increased their edge on fourth-ranked Biola, who earned 642 points this week two break a two-week tie with now No. 5 Cedarville (637 points).

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences. The next poll will be released on Oct. 7.

Others receiving votes: Jamestown College (N.D.) 97; Shawnee State University (Ohio) 83; Westmont College (Calif.) 82; Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) 59; Bethel College (Ind.) 55; Doane College (Neb.) 54; Kansas Wesleyan University 47; University of British Columbia 41; Shorter College (Ga.) 31; Northwest Christian University (Ore.) 13; Oklahoma Baptist University 9; Dakota State University (S.D.) 9; Illinois Institute of Technology 6; Taylor University (Ind.) 3; Oklahoma Christian University 1; Mount Mercy College (Iowa) 1; Siena Heights University (Mich.) 1; Southwestern College (Kan.) 1.