COLUMBIA, S.C. – The undefeated Benedict College Tigers football team are climbing in the polls.
Benedict, 3-0 on the season for the first time since resuming the football program in 1995 and possibly for the first time in school history, are ranked second in the Ultimate HBCU Sports Division II poll, and third in the HBCU Division II Coaches Poll by BOXTOROW, as well as third in the HBCU Sports-Pro Media Association.
The Tigers also show up in a pair of HBCU polls that take into account all HBCU programs, both Division I and Division II. Benedict is ranked fifth, behind four Division I programs, in the HBCU Power Rankings by the HBCU Underground; and 11
th overall in the College Football Network HBCU 15. Benedict is the third-highest ranked Division II team in that poll.
The Tigers are 3-0 in large part because of their nationally-ranked defense. Benedict ranks fourth overall in Division II in scoring defense, giving up just 6.7 points per game and fourth overall in total defense, allowing opponents an average of 190.7 yards per game. They rank third in passing yards allowed, holding opponents to 74.3 yards per game. Benedict also ranks third in turnovers gained, and fourth in turnover margin.
The Tigers take on Kentucky State at 6 p.m. on Saturday in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
Ultimate HBCU Sports Division II poll
| Rank |
Team |
Previous Rank |
Record |
| 1 |
Virginia Union |
1 |
3-0 |
| 2 |
Benedict |
3 |
3-0 |
| 3 |
Albany State |
2 |
2-1 |
| 4 |
Fort Valley State |
4 |
3-0 |
| 5 |
Fayetteville State |
6 |
2-1 |
| 6 |
Langston |
8 |
3-0 |
| 7 |
Virginia State |
10 |
2-1 |
| 8 |
West Virginia State |
9 |
2-1 |
| 9 |
Bowie State |
5 |
1-2 |
| 10 |
Shaw |
NR |
1-2 |
2022 HBCU Division II Coaches Poll powered by BOXTOROW
Week 3
(Records through September 17, 2022)
| No. |
Team |
W-L |
Pts |
Last Week |
| 1 |
Virginia Union (19) |
3-0 |
215 |
1 |
| 2 |
Albany State (2) |
2-1 |
193 |
2 |
| 3 |
Benedict |
3-0 |
174 |
4 |
| 4 |
Fort Valley State |
3-0 |
125 |
6 |
| 5 |
Fayetteville State |
2-1 |
123 |
5 |
| 6 |
Virginia State |
2-1 |
83 |
9 |
| 7 |
Bowie State (1) |
1-2 |
82 |
3 |
| 8 |
West Virginia State |
2-1 |
80 |
7 |
| 9 |
Shaw |
1-2 |
50 |
NR |
| 10 |
Lane |
1-2 |
24 |
10 |
Others receiving votes: Savannah State (1-2) 19, Bluefield State (1-1) 18, Tuskegee (1-2) 14, Morehouse (0-3) 5, Chowan (1-2) 4, Livingstone (1-1) 3, Elizabeth City State (1-2) 2, Johnson C. Smith (0-2) 1, Lincoln (Pa.) (1-2) 1, Miles (1-1) 1.
HBCU Sports-Pro Media Association
Mid-Major
| Rank |
Team |
Pts. |
1st |
| 1. |
Virginia Union |
182 |
(12) |
| 2. |
Albany State |
165 |
(5) |
| 3. |
Benedict |
158 |
(1) |
| 4. |
Fort Valley State |
147 |
(2) |
| 5. |
Langston |
119 |
|
| 6. |
Fayetteville State |
96 |
|
| 7. |
Virginia State |
75 |
|
| 8. |
West Virginia State |
51 |
|
| 9. |
Bowie State |
34 |
|
| 10. |
Bluefield State |
28 |
|
Others receiving votes: Shaw 20
HBCU Week 3 power rankings by HBCU Underground
| Rank |
Team |
| 1. |
Jackson State |
| 2. |
North Carolina Central |
| 3. |
Alcorn |
| 4. |
South Carolina State |
| 5. |
Benedict |
The College Football Network HBCU 15
| 1. |
Jackson State |
| 2. |
North Carolina Central |
| 3. |
South Carolina State |
| 4. |
Albany State |
| 5. |
Virginia Union |
| 6. |
Alcorn State |
| 7. |
Hampton |
| 8. |
Tennessee State |
| 9. |
Florida A&M |
| 10. |
North Carolina A&T |
| 11. |
Benedict |
| 12. |
Alabama State |
| 13. |
Fort Valley State |
| 14. |
Langston |
| 15. |
Fayetteville State |
