TUSKEGEE, Ala. ^__ The Tuskegee football team is officially on the radar of the HBCU BOXTOROW Division II Coaches poll voters this week after the win over West Alabama.
 
While the Golden Tigers (1-2) are not yet ranked, they are receiving votes for the first time this season after the 700th official victory in program history, the second most all time in Division II behind Pittsburgh State and first among all HBCUs regardless of division.
 
Tuskegee picked up 14 votes in Tuesday's newly released poll, just 10 votes behind tenth ranked Lane, and just behind Savannah State (19 votes) and Bluefield State (18 votes), essentially placing the Golden Tigers as 13th overall in the poll.
 
Coach Ruffin and his team will play host to conference opponent Allen on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Montgomery and the historic Cramton Bowl.
 
The poll news wasn't the only accolade the Golden Tigers picked up in the aftermath of Saturday's win in Livingston. Safety Zelly Aldridge (Gallion, Ala.) was named SIAC Defensive Player of the Week along with Arnes Huskic (Jacksonville, Fla.) was named SIAC Special Team Player of the Week.
 
Aldridge has provided much needed depth to Tuskegee's defensive backfield after transferring from North Alabama. The safety finished last week with five tackles, including four solos, a pass break up, and also sealed the upset win for the Golden Tigers with an interception on the final play of the game.
 
Meanwhile, Huskic went 2-for-3 on field goals for the Golden Tigers win on Saturday against West Alabama, including a 29-yard kick to cap off a drive with just over five minutes left to take the lead and eventually win the game over the Tigers. He also made a 42-yard field goal for the first score of the game in the first quarter.
 
Here's a look at this week's complete Poll:
1 – Virginia Union, 3-0, 215 (19)
2 – Albany State, 2-1, 193 (2)
3 – Benedict, 3-0, 174
4 – Fort Valley State, 3-0, 125
5 – Fayetteville State, 2-1, 123
6 – Virginia State, 2-1, 83
7 – Bowie State, 1-2, 82 (1)
8 – West Virginia State, 2-1, 80
9 – Shaw, 1-2, 50
10 – Lane, 1-2, 24

Others receiving votes: Savannah State (1-2) 19, Bluefield State (1-1) 18, Tuskegee (1-2) 14, Morehouse (0-3) 5, Chowan (1-2) 4, Livingstone (1-1) 3, Elizabeth City State (1-2) 2, Johnson C. Smith (0-2) 1, Lincoln (Pa.) (1-2) 1, Miles (1-1) 1.
 
(1st place votes in parentheses)
 
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