Fourteen times before, the Grambling State Tigers were named national champions.
Now make it 15.
By virtue of its 10-9 victory over North Carolina Central in the Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Grambling was named 2016 HBCU national champions in the final BOXTOROW Coaches Poll of 2016.
It was a unanimous selection for the Tigers.
The three-time defending MEAC champion Eagles, who won the conference championship outright this year finished second. North Carolina A&T who won the national championship last year finished third.
Grambling sat atop the poll for just the last three weeks. Their only loss on the season was to FBS opponent Arizona, 31-21 on September 10 in Tucson.
In its eighth year, the BOXTOROW HBCU FCS coaches poll is administered by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW and is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches.
In its 10th year, the BOXTOROW Media Poll is voted on by media members around the country who cover HBCU football.
2016 BOXTOROW HBCU Football Coaches Top 10 Poll
Final
(Records through December 17, 2016)
No. Team W-L Pts. Last Week
1. Grambling (19) 11-1 190 1
2. North Carolina Central 9-3 169 2
3. North Carolina A&T 9-3 148 3
4. Southern 8-3 132 4
5. Prairie View A&M 7-4 103 5
6 Tennessee State 7-4 97 6
7. Alcorn State 5-6 83 7
8. South Carolina State 5-6 59 8
9. Hampton 5-6 39 9
10. Bethune-Cookman 4-6 17 10
2016 BOXTOROW HBCU Football Media Top 10 Poll
Final
(Records through December 17, 2016)
No. Team W-L Pts. Last Week
1. Grambling (14) 11-1 140 1
2. North Carolina Central 9-3 126 2
3. North Carolina A&T 9-3 111 3
4. Southern 8-3 98 4
5. Winston-Salem State 9-3 71 5
6. Tuskegee 9-3 62 6
7. Prairie View A&M 7-4 53 7
8. Tennessee State 7-4 43 9
9. Virginia State 9-2 42 8
10. Bowie State 7-4 17 10
Courtesy: BOXTOROW
