ALBANY, Ga. — The
Albany State University Golden Rams have officially broken into the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl, coming in at No. 23 after their commanding 31-3 victory over previously ranked No. 21
Benedict College this past weekend. The win not only secured Albany State's position atop the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings but also marked the program's return to national recognition for the first time since October 10, 2022.
In a performance that turned heads across Division II football, the Golden Rams dominated both sides of the ball — amassing nearly 500 yards of total offense while holding the Tigers to a season-low 63 yards rushing. The offense was balanced and efficient, while the defense remained relentless, suffocating Benedict's run game and forcing key stops that set the tone early. The 31-3 victory not only handed Benedict its first conference loss of the season but also reestablished Albany State as a national contender in 2025.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Quinn Gray Sr., the Golden Rams have built a strong case for national attention with their 7-1 overall record and 6-0 conference standing, demonstrating consistency, discipline, and
dominance throughout the season. Albany State's resurgence in the AFCA Coaches Poll is complemented by its appearance at No. 22 in the D2 Football Media Poll, reflecting the growing respect from both coaches and media nationwide.
The Golden Rams now look to carry their momentum into the final stretch of the season as they prepare to host Savannah State University on Saturday, October 25, for Senior Day at the Albany State Coliseum. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM as ASU continues its pursuit of a conference title and a return to postseason play.
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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football with all teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors nine men's and seven women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit
www.thesiac.com.