ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State football continued its climb on the national stage Monday, earning rankings in both of the country's major Football Championship Subdivision Top 25 polls following another impressive victory.

The undefeated Bulldogs (4-0) moved up two spots to No. 16 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll and climbed two positions to No. 14 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, according to rankings released Sept. 21.

South Carolina State's rise comes after a 20-17 road victory over then-No. 24 Furman at Paladin Stadium. The victory kept the Bulldogs unbeaten through their first four games of the season and strengthened their position among the nation's nationally ranked FCS programs.

In the Stats Perform FCS Top 25, SC State received 550 points to earn the No. 16 position after entering the week ranked No. 18. The Bulldogs are one of six undefeated teams ranked among the poll's top 16.

The Bulldogs earned an even higher ranking from the coaches, moving from No. 16 to No. 14 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll with 303 points. SC State's win over Furman helped push the Bulldogs two spots higher in the coaches' rankings.

Head coach Chennis Berry's Bulldogs will now turn their attention to their next challenge as they travel to Daytona Beach, Florida, to face Bethune-Cookman on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the contest set to air on HBCU GO.

SC State National Rankings

• No. 14 — AFCA FCS Coaches Poll: 303 points; previous ranking No. 16.
• No. 16 — Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll: 550 points; previous ranking No. 18.
• Record: 4-0.
• Last result: Defeated Furman, 20-17, on the road.
• Next game: Sept. 26 at Bethune-Cookman, 7 p.m. on HBCU GO.

 ABOUT SC STATE ATHLETICS
South Carolina State University sponsors an NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program featuring 15 sports: football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's indoor track and field, men's and women's outdoor track and field, men's and women's tennis, women's volleyball, softball, women's soccer and women's golf.
 
SC State competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in all conference-sponsored sports except women's soccer.
 
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There are several ways to keep up with SC State Athletics online and on the go:
Visit SCSUAthletics.com, the official website of Bulldog Athletics, for the latest news, schedules, results, statistics, rosters, student-athlete bios and more.
 
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