Week Two in HBCU football was a series of potential championship game matches in the SIAC and CIAA and with high stakes come high consequences. Tuskegee and Winston-Salem State dropped out of the AFCA Coaches Poll leaving Albany State as the lone HBCU representative in the pack.
Albany State’s 20-7 win over Tuskegee helped it advance from no. 20 to no. 16 in the poll, released on Monday afternoon. ASU followed up its upset win over traditional D2 power Valdosta State in Week One with a solid performance led by a tough defense and an efficient passing game. Gabe Giardina improved to 2-0 as a head football coach, taking down what many people viewed as the team to beat in Tuskegee.
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Winston-Salem State’s brief time in the top 20 was abruptly ended on Saturday as it lost its home opener for the third year in a row. Bowie State dominated the game from start to finish, frustrating the WSSU offense and taking advantage of a gassed defense for a 31-13 win.
Titans take a tumble
It was a rare day in black college football as Saturday marked just the second time since 2011 that both Tuskegee and Winston-Salem State lost in the same day. The previous occurrence happened Oct. 3, 2015 as WSSU lost to Chowan while Tuskegee fell to UNC-Pembroke.
Bowie State on the rise
The case can be made that Bowie State should be in the top 25 after beating a WSSU team that beat a top 25 team in the previous week at UNC-Pembroke. BSU is just outside the top 25, receiving 58 votes. It also has a winnable game against SAU on Saturday and if it wins big, should make its way on to the poll.