Benedict stays atop poll.
boxtorow.com
The Benedict Tigers began the season with a 52-0 victory over Shaw on Saturday and were voted No. 1 in the first HBCU Division II Coaches Poll powered by BOXTOROW released this season.
The Tigers received 18-of-21 first place votes. Virginia Union received two first place votes and site at No. 2 followed by Tuskegee – who received a first place vote – at No. 3. Bowie State and Virginia State both won respective games against FCS opponents – the Bulldogs defeated Delaware State and Virginia State defeated Norfolk State – are No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.
No. 8 Central State defeated an FCS opponent Mississippi Valley State in the Chicago Classic and enters the poll for the first time since Week 1 of last year.
The HBCU Division II Coaches Poll powered by BOXTOROW is administered by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW, and is voted on by the HBCU NCAA Division II coaches.
2023 HBCU Division II Coaches Poll powered by BOXTOROW
Week 1
(Records as of September 3, 2023)
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | Preseason Poll Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benedict (18) | 1-0 | 206 | 1 |
| 2 | Virginia Union (2) | 1-0 | 178 | 3 |
| 3 | Tuskegee (1) | 1-0 | 149 | 4 |
| 4 | Bowie State | 1-0 | 148 | 6 |
| 5 | Virginia State | 1-0 | 121 | 8 |
| 6 | Fayetteville State | 0-1 | 73 | 2 |
| 7 | Fort Valley State | 0-1 | 66 | 5 |
| 8 | Central State | 1-0 | 45 | NR |
| 9 | Albany State | 0-1 | 36 | 7 |
| 10 | Miles | 1-0 | 32 | NR |
Others receiving votes: West Virginia State (0-1) 25, Savannah State (1-0) 22, Johnson C. Smith (1-0) 15, Bluefield State (1-0) 14, Kentucky State (1-0) 9, Lane (0-1) 9, Allen (1-0) 4, Winston-Salem State (0-1) 3.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
Benedict stays atop poll.