The Celebration Bowl champion South Carolina State Bulldogs capped their remarkable season with national recognition, earning a spot in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll.
Led by MEAC Coach of the Year Chennis Berry, the Bulldogs captured the HBCU national championship with a 40-38 four-overtime win over SWAC champion Prairie View A&M.
Following Monday night’s national championship result, South Carolina State was ranked No. 21 in the final top 25 poll of the football season.
The Bulldogs finished with a 10-3 record and a 5-0 conference record in the MEAC, highlighted by a dominant defense and clutch offensive performances that defined their title run.
Their ranking puts them among the nation’s best programs in the FCS, underscoring both their on-field success and national reputation as a strong football team.
Bulldogs only HBCU football team inside Top 25
South Carolina State stands as the lone HBCU represented in the year-end FCS poll, with Prairie View, SWAC East champion Jackson State, and 10-win Alabama State receiving votes.
