• BOXTOROW HBCU Coaches Poll: Streaking Tigers gaining ground on top-ranked Aggies entering HBCU season’s stretch run

    RALEIGH, N.C. – Previous top-five ranked teams North Carolina Central and Alcorn State both suffered defeats, and Grambling State’s strong performance last weekend allowed the Tigers to gain ground on North Carolina A&T at the top of this week’s HBCU Coaches Poll.

    The combination of the N.C. A&T Aggies struggling to put away an opponent for the second straight week and Grambling thoroughly thumping Alcorn State garnered the Tigers (6-1) four first-place votes in the poll. The Aggies (8-0), who remained undefeated and in the midst of their best start in 75 years, secured the other 16 first-place votes from the coaches.

    N.C. A&T had fallen one first-place vote shy of a unanimous stranglehold on the No. 1 spot each of the past three weeks. But Grambling’s recent surge has shifted some weight in the polls as the defending national black college champion has won six consecutive games since dropping its season opener on the road against FBS member Tulane.

    Last Saturday’s 41-14 blowout of previously fourth-ranked Alcorn was a matchup of the SWAC’s East and West division leaders. But it didn’t prove to be much of a contest for the Tigers, who have won all six games during the win streak by double figures, including five by at least two touchdowns.

    It resulted in another strong showing for Grambling in the SWAC weekly honors.

    Senior quarterback and Ole Miss transfer Devonte Kincade was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Week after accounting for 279 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday. Grambling Linebacker De’Arius Christmas earned Defensive Player of the Week after registering 14 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble during a game in which the Tigers created seven Alcorn turnovers. And kicker Marc Orozco was named Specialist of the Week for scoring 11 points on five PATs and two field goals.

    “It was good to get out and play a game (like that) after taking (the previous) week off,” Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs told reporters. “We’ve got some bumps and bruises, but we’re pleased to come out on top. We were able to make some big plays. We were able to run and throw the ball effectively, but also, defensively, we’ve been able to turn people over like we do, which has been truly amazing.”

    The Aggies came from behind to defeat Bethune-Cookman 24-20, and Hampton defeated Florida A&M for its third straight victory to surge to No. 3 in the rankings. Tennessee State, which was idle last week, moved up to No. 4 and North Carolina Central remained in the top five, but fell two spots after having its 18-game MEAC winning streak end with a home loss to Norfolk State.

    The BOXTOROW HBCU FCS coaches poll is administered by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW. The coaches poll is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches.

    2017 BOXTOROW FCS HBCU Football Coaches Poll Week 8

    (Records through October 21, 2017)

    No. Team W/L Pts
    Last Week
    1. North Carolina A&T (16) 8-0 197
    1
    2. Grambling (4) 6-1 184
    2
    3. Hampton 5-2 139
    5
    4. Tennessee State 4-3 113
    6
    5. North Carolina Central 5-2 111
    3
    T-6. Alcorn State 5-3 94
    4
    T-6. Southern 4-3 94
    T-7
    8. Howard 4-3 89
    9
    9. Bethune-Cookman 3-4 31
    T-7
    10. Prairie View A&M 2-4 22
    7

    Others receiving votes: Alabama A&M (3-4) 7.
    (1st place votes in parentheses)

    Note: (1st place votes in parentheses)

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    Michael Wallace
    Published on Oct 24, 2016

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