BALTIMORE, Md. (Oct. 12, 2026) – Morgan State football has ascended to the top of the latest Black College Football Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Poll, earning the No. 1 ranking in the nation after climbing from No. 3 a week ago.
The Bears received [first-place votes] and [total points] to claim the top spot, marking another milestone in a breakthrough 2026 campaign. Morgan State's rise to No. 1 comes on the heels of consecutive victories over non-conference FCS opponents Villanova and Robert Morris, highlighted by two dramatic finishes.
Morgan State improved to 5-1 on the season following its thrilling 28-27 Homecoming victory over Robert Morris on Saturday at Hughes Stadium. The Bears secured the win in the closing moments, delivering another memorable performance in front of their home crowd.
The victory followed Morgan State's dramatic 38-35 road win over Villanova, giving the Bears back-to-back victories decided in the final two minutes. The consecutive wins have underscored the team's ability to perform under pressure and find ways to win in critical situations.
The Bears' latest ranking represents a significant climb in the poll this season. Morgan State first entered the Division I FCS rankings at No. 10 on Sept. 14, moved to No. 5 the following week, and continued its ascent to No. 3 in the Oct. 5 poll before reaching No. 1 this week.
South Carolina State (No. 5), Delaware State (No. 6) and Norfolk State (No. 8) also earned top-10 rankings, while Howard received votes.
The Black College Football Poll is the first officially endorsed national poll dedicated exclusively to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) football programs competing at the NCAA Division I FCS and NCAA Division II levels.
The poll is jointly sanctioned by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAC), providing a unified national ranking of HBCU football programs across both divisions.
For the latest Morgan State football news, schedules, and updates, visit MorganStateBears.com.
Black College Football Poll
NCAA Division I (FCS)
| Rank |
Institution |
Record |
Points |
| 1 |
Morgan State |
5-1, 0-0 |
516 (20) |
| 2 |
Jackson State |
5-1, 2-1 |
444 |
| 3 |
Alabama A&M |
5-2, 2-1 |
418 |
| 4 |
Grambling State |
4-2, 2-1 |
412 |
| 5 |
South Carolina State |
5-2, 0-0 |
386 |
| 6 |
Delaware State |
4-3, 0-0 |
212 |
| 7 |
Alcorn State |
4-3, 2-2 |
208 |
| 8 |
Norfolk State |
4-3, 0-0 |
100 |
| 9 |
Alabama State |
3-3, 1-2 |
74 |
| 10 |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
3-2, 1-2 |
68 |
First-place votes in parentheses.
Others Receiving Votes: Bethune-Cookman 62, Mississippi Valley State 44; Prairie View A&M 24; Southern 16; Howard 8
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• Visit
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified
high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master's degree, doctorate, and certificate programs. As Maryland's
Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus
designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit
www.morgan.edu.
