NEW HAVEN, Ct. -- South Carolina State running back William Ford was named the BTRC/BASN all-conference player of the year for a second straight season after helping the Bulldogs to the 2008 MEAC Football title and automatic berth to the NCAA Division I playoffs.

The voters are comprised of some of America's top media members who cover black college football.

Ford led the MEAC in rushing with 1,499 yards and was tied for third in the conference in scoring (78 points).  He carried the ball 246 times for an average of 115.3 yards and accounted for 13 touchdowns.

A junior from Travelers Rest, South Carolina, Ford is just 1,009 yards away from becoming the MEAC's all-time leading rusher. The conference's Preseason Player of the Year honoree, he received the Rookie of the Year award in 2006 and was recently named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.

Also honored were Jackson State linebacker Marcellus Speaks and Grambling State head coach Rod Broadway.