(Pittsburgh, PA) –Winston-Salem State University has captured the 2012 SBN Sports Black College National Football Championship. The Rams posted a 14-0 record on the way to winning their second consecutive SBN Jake Gaither National Championship Trophy.
Norfolk State was the preseason favorite to win this season’s championship, while Winston-Salem State was picked to finish third behind Bethune-Cookman. Head Coach Connell Maynor and his team won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) title with a perfect 10-0 regular season followed by a win in the conference championship game and three victories in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Rams advanced to the Division II National Championship Game where they fell to Valdosta State 35-7.
In final SBN Poll voting, Winston-Salem State received all thirty first-place votes and 300 points. Arkansas-Pine Bluff University was second with 267 points. Bethune-Cookman University finished in third place with 202 points, Tuskegee University was fourth with 165 points and Tennessee State University was fifth with 143 points. Jackson State University, Alabama State University, Alabama A&M University, Howard University and North Carolina A&T University rounded out the top ten.
Winston-Salem State will be honored during the SBN Black College All-American (BCAA) and Black College Football Hall of Fame Awards Weekend, February 15-16, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia. American Urban Radio Networks and the Black College Football Hall of Fame will also honor the SBN Coach of the Year and the SBN Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. The awards weekend will feature the Fourth Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony. A who’s who list of college and professional football greats are scheduled to attend, including Doug Williams, James “Shack” Harris, Mel Blount, Harry Carson, Rayfield Wright, L.C. Greenwood and Billy “White Shoes” Johnson.
The SBN Sports Network is a division of American Urban Radio Networks, the largest Black-owned radio network company in the country, with offices and bureaus in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit and Pittsburgh.
Black College Football Poll
12-17-12
‘FINAL’
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SCHOOL | MASCOTS |
POINTS |
(#1 VOTES) |
2012 RECORD |
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1. |
*Winston-Salem State | Rams |
300 |
(30) |
14-1 |
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2. |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Golden Lions |
267 |
10-2 |
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3. |
Bethune Cookman | Wildcats |
202 |
9-3 |
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4. |
Tuskegee | Golden Tigers |
165 |
10-2 |
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5. |
Tennessee State | Tigers |
143 |
8-3 |
|
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6. |
Jackson State | Tigers |
128 |
7-5 |
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7. |
Alabama State | Hornets |
85 |
7-4 |
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8. |
Alabama A&M | Bulldogs |
73 |
7-4 |
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9. |
Howard | Bison |
59 |
7-4 |
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10. |
North Carolina A&T | Aggies |
45 |
7-4 |
