North Carolina Central is ranked in the FCS Coaches Poll for the first time in school history after making the jump to Division I in 2011. The Eagles beat Delaware State 38-19 Saturday to improve to 7-0 in the MEAC. QB Malcom Bell led the way with 223 through the air. RB Ramone Simpson added 112 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Coach Jerry Mack improved his MEAC mark to 18-3 over the past three seasons.
Their rivals North Carolina A&T are also 7-0 in the MEAC after defeating South Carolina State 30-20. The Aggies were outgained 359-258 and star RB Tarik Cohen was held to just 47 rushing yards, but the defense came up big in the 4th quarter to seal the win on Marquis Willis’ 29 yard interception return. Despite the off game, Cohen is still tied for 1st in all of FCS in rushing TDs and 2nd in total rushing yards. After the win A&T moved up one spot in the Coaches Poll to #9.
In the SWAC, Grambling State continued to roll with a 56-17 win over Alabama A&M. QB Devante Kincade has been the star most of the season, but on this day RB Jestin Kelly stole the show with a 200 yard performance. Kincade is still #2 in all of FCS in passing efficiency this season, while his top receiver Chad Williams is #2 in receiving yards per game. As a team, Grambling is #4 in total offense per game and #12 in total defense per game.
Nov. 12 Preview
The MEAC has become a two-team race between North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central. A&T will travel to Delaware State while Central will host Howard. A win by both would set up a winner-take-all battle in Durham on November 19.
There are still multiple teams alive in SWAC. Southern will travel to Prairie View A&M in the biggest matchup of the weekend. Prairie View must win to stay alive in the SWAC West. Grambling, undefeated in the conference at 6-0, will host Alabama State.
In the East, Alcorn State and Jackson State have the inside track with matching 3-4 conference records. Alcorn will travel to Mississippi Valley State while Jackson will host Alabama A&M. A win by both teams would set up a winner-take-all battle in Lorman on Nov. 19.
Full FCS Coaches Poll
| RANK | SCHOOL | POINTS | PREVIOUS | RECORD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Houston State (22) | 644 | 1 | 9-0 |
| 2 | Jacksonville State (2) | 612 | 2 | 8-1 |
| 3 | Eastern Washington (1) | 599 | 3 | 8-1 |
| 4 | North Dakota State (1) | 578 | 4 | 8-1 |
| 5 | James Madison | 549 | 5 | 8-1 |
| 6 | The Citadel | 515 | 7 | 9-0 |
| 7 | Chattanooga | 488 | 8 | 8-1 |
| 8 | Richmond | 449 | 6 | 7-2 |
| 9 | North Carolina A&T | 430 | 10 | 8-1 |
| 10 | North Dakota | 409 | 11 | 8-2 |
| 11 | Villanova | 389 | 12 | 7-2 |
| 12 | South Dakota State | 356 | 15 | 6-3 |
| 13 | Central Arkansas | 349 | 17 | 8-1 |
| 14 | Charleston Southern | 265 | 9 | 5-3 |
| 15 | Youngstown State | 247 | 13 | 6-3 |
| 16 | Grambling State | 244 | 19 | 7-1 |
| 17 | Montana | 217 | 20 | 6-3 |
| 18 | Lehigh | 177 | 21 | 8-2 |
| 19 | Western Illinois | 176 | 14 | 6-3 |
| 20 | Cal Poly | 170 | 16 | 6-3 |
| 21 | Samford | 161 | 18 | 6-3 |
| 22 | Harvard | 134 | 22 | 7-1 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | 103 | 23 | 6-3 |
| 24 | Liberty | 52 | NR | 6-3 |
| 25 | North Carolina Central | 32 | NR | 7-2 |
Others receiving votes: Wofford (23), Northern Arizona (16), Kennesaw State (12), Illinois State (10), San Diego (10), Tennessee State (7), Saint Francis (Pa.) (6), UT Martin (6), Southern Utah (4), Gardner- Webb (2), Maine (2), Northern Iowa (2), South Dakota (2), Southeastern Louisiana (2) and Weber State (1).
