The Gamecocks jumped to No. 5 in the Sports Network media poll and No. 6 in the FCS Coaches Poll. They were 17th in both preseason polls.
The rankings are the Gamecocks' highest in their Division I history. They have been in the polls 16 consecutive weeks.
Their previous high-water mark was No. 12, in October 2004 and October 2009.
The No. 5 ranking in the TSN poll is the highest by an Ohio Valley Conference team since Western Kentucky was ranked fifth in 2000.
The Gamecocks received nine first-place votes in the media poll and two in the Coaches Poll.
Here are the top 10s of the two polls (with first-place votes in parenthesis)
The Sports Network Top 10
Team Record Pts Pvs
1. Montana (57) 1-0 3,052 2
2. Villanova (46) 0-1 2,886 1
3. Appalachian State (8) 1-0 2,774 3
4. Southern Illinois (3) 1-0 2,716 5
5. Jacksonville State (9) 1-0 2,337 17
6. New Hampshire (2) 1-0 2,202 10
7. Richmond 0-1 2,093 6
8. Elon 0-1 2,080 7
9. South Dakota State 0-0 1,926 9
10. Stephen F. Austin 0-1 1,729 8
The Coaches top 10
Team Record Points
1. Montana (16) 1-0 662
2. Southern Illinois 1-0 598
3. Appalachian State (1) 1-0 585
4. Villanova (8) 0-1 579
5. New Hampshire 1-0 518
6. Jacksonville State (2) 1-0 516
7. Richmond 0-1 478
8. Elon 0-1 443
9. South Dakota State 0-0 426
10. McNeese State 1-0 378
Check the Tuesday edition of The Star for a more comprehensive story and team reaction.
