ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State football continued its climb in the national rankings Monday as the unbeaten Bulldogs moved up in both major FCS polls following a 5-0 start to the 2026 season.

SC State moved up two spots to No. 12 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and climbed one position to No. 15 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll released Sept. 28.

The Bulldogs, under third-year head coach Chennis Berry, improved to 5-0 following a 31-21 road victory over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday in Daytona Beach, Florida.

In the AFCA poll, South Carolina State received 329 points, moving from No. 14 to No. 12. The Bulldogs are one of five remaining unbeaten teams ranked among the AFCA Top 12.

SC State also continued its upward movement in the Stats Perform media poll, earning 637 points to move from No. 16 to No. 15.

The Bulldogs' undefeated start includes victories over Savannah State, Florida A&M, Virginia State, nationally ranked Furman and Bethune-Cookman. SC State has also shown its ability to win away from Orangeburg, earning victories over Florida A&M, Furman and Bethune-Cookman during the opening five games.

SC State's latest victory came behind another productive offensive performance. The Bulldogs generated more than 430 yards of total offense, including 282 rushing yards, against Bethune-Cookman.

Sophomore running back Mason Pickett-Hicks helped lead the attack with 14 carries for 136 yards, averaging 9.7 yards per attempt with a long run of 41 yards.

The offensive line also played a key role in the road victory, helping SC State control the ground game and maintain its unbeaten record.

The Bulldogs now return home for another in-state matchup when they host The Citadel at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium's Willie Jeffries Field.

The contest will serve as Youth Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The game will be streamed live on the MEAC Digital Network.

SC State in the national polls

• AFCA FCS Coaches Poll: No. 12, up from No. 14
• Stats Perform FCS Top 25: No. 15, up from No. 16
• Overall record: 5-0
• AFCA points: 329
• Stats Perform points: 637
• Last result: Defeated Bethune-Cookman, 31-21
• Next game: vs. The Citadel, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2 p.m.

South Carolina State will look to continue its unbeaten start and upward movement in the national rankings when the Bulldogs return to Willie Jeffries Field on Saturday.