FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky State football continues to climb new heights as they have reached the top of the HBCU Division II Coaches Poll powered by BOXTOROW, earning the No. 1 ranking in the Week 4 following a historic road victory over Albany State.

The Thorobreds, 4-1 this season, received 17 of the 18 first-place votes and totaled 179 points to move up one spot from No. 2.

Kentucky State strengthened its case for the top spot with a 24-16 victory over Albany State on Sept. 26, defeating the Golden Rams for the first time since the 2003 season and ending a 12-game losing streak against its Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe.

The victory continued a strong two-year run for the program under fourth-year head coach Felton Huggins Jr. Kentucky State is 13-4 over the past two seasons after winning 12 games combined during the previous three seasons.

The Thorobreds have also won 12 of their last 13 regular-season games and 16 of their last 20 games overall.

Kentucky State's climb in the national HBCU Division II poll has been steady throughout the opening weeks of the season. The Thorobreds were ranked No. 5 before moving to No. 2 in the poll released Sept. 15 after improving to 2-1. Kentucky State received 140 points and one first-place vote in that poll.

Kentucky State overtook previous No. 1 Benedict, which fell to No. 5 following a 20-17 loss to Tuskegee. Benedict received the remaining first-place vote and totaled 112 points.
Johnson C. Smith moved up one position to No. 2 with a 4-1 record and 148 points, while Virginia State climbed to No. 3 with 128 points. Virginia Union moved to No. 4 with 121 points.

Edward Waters remained at No. 6, followed by Tuskegee at No. 7. Tuskegee made one of the largest moves of the week, climbing three spots from No. 10 following its victory over previously top-ranked Benedict.

Shaw remained at No. 8, while Fayetteville State dropped two spots to No. 9. Albany State rounded out the top 10.
The HBCU Division II Coaches Poll, now in its fifth year, is administered by BOXTOROW and voted on by HBCU NCAA Division II football coaches.

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