Benedict Ranked Ninth in Division II HBCU Coaches Poll

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College football team has secured the No. 9 spot in this week’s HBCU Division II Football Coaches Poll, powered by BOXTOROW.

The Tigers climbed into the rankings after opening their season with a 10-0 shutout victory over Fayetteville State on Saturday. They earned 36 points in voting from the panel of 18 Division II HBCU head coaches.

Virginia Union holds steady at No. 1 in the poll, with Benedict standing as one of six SIAC programs featured in the top 10.

Benedict will have a bye this week before returning to action on Sept. 13, when they travel to face Central State.

Now in its fourth year, the HBCU Division II Coaches Poll is administered by BOXTOROW and determined solely by votes from Division II HBCU head coaches.

2025 HBCU D2 Football Coaches Poll – Week 1
(Records through August 31, 2025)

1. Virginia Union (15) – 1-0 – 175 pts – Preseason: 1

2. Johnson C. Smith (1) – 1-0 – 153 pts – Preseason: 2

3. Albany State (2) – 1-0 – 146 pts – Preseason: 3

4. Virginia State – 1-0 – 129 pts – Preseason: 5

5. Tuskegee – 1-0 – 99 pts – Preseason: 6

6. Clark Atlanta – 0-1 – 86 pts – Preseason: 4

7. Edward Waters – 1-0 – 42 pts – NR

8. Winston-Salem State – 0-1 – 38 pts – Preseason: 7

9. Benedict – 1-0 – 36 pts – NR

10. Fort Valley State – 0-1 – 35 pts – Preseason: 9

Others receiving votes: Kentucky State (1-0) 21, Miles (0-1) 9, West Virginia State (0-1) 6, Allen (0-1) 5, Livingstone (0-1) 5, Savannah State (0-1) 4.