WEB RELEASE
*SAVANNAH STATE at FLORIDA A&M | ESPN3
NORFOLK STATE at SOUTH CAROLINA STATE | ESPN3
MORGAN STATE at NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE | ESPN3
*BETHUNE-COOKMAN vs. HOWARD | ESPNU (10:30 p.m.) | WATCH ESPN
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL at DUKE | ACC Network Extra
• MEAC play resumes this weekend as Hurricane Florence impacted last weekend’s schedule with several postponements. MEAC play officially begins with a pair of games while three non-conference games will take place including two featuring MEAC teams.
• North Carolina A&T State has won 15 games dating back to 2017. The Aggies have earned an FBS win (East Carolina) for the third straight year.
• North Carolina A&T State was picked to defend its MEAC Football Championship as the Aggies received 19 first-place votes and was a unanimous choice to defend their MEAC Championship and represent the league in the annual Celebration Bowl on Dec. 15 in Atlanta, Ga. The Aggies have not won consecutive MEAC Championships since the 1991 and 1992 campaigns. Howard University was predicted to place second in head coach Mike London’s second season followed by N.C. Central in third place and Bethune-Cookman in fourth. Florida A&M was picked fifth followed by Norfolk State, South Carolina State, Savannah State, Morgan State and Delaware State.
•Name tags will be needed this season as five MEAC teams feature new head coaches. Delaware State, Florida A&M, Morgan State, N.C. A&T State and N.C. Central will have new leaders. Both head coaches at Morgan State and NCCU coaches have the interim tag attached.
• The MEAC’s streak of FBS wins continues for the third straight year after North Carolina A&T State’s win over East Carolina on Sept. 2. The MEAC picked up two FBS wins last season (2017) as North Carolina A&T State defeated Charlotte (Conference USA) while Howard defeated UNLV. The 2016 North Carolina A&T State win over Kent State was the Aggies’ first FBS win in school history and the first MEAC FBS win since Bethune-Cookman defeated C-USA’s Florida International 14-12 in 2014.
• North Carolina A&T State remains the lone MEAC team ranked amongst FCS teams. The Aggies are ranked No. 4 in the STATS FCS poll and No. 4 in the FCS Coaches poll. This marks their highest ranking in school history.
•North Carolina A&T State University quarterback Lamar Raynard was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while N.C. Central defensive back Davanta Reynolds was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
• Last year’s MEAC Champions, North Carolina A&T State, finished the 2017 season with their highest national ranking ever as they finished No. 6 in the NCAA FCS Coaches Poll. They entered the 2018 season with their highest national preseason ranking ever with voters ranking the Aggies preseason No. 14 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. However, the Aggies will feature a new look as head coach Sam Washington takes over for the retired Rod Broadway. Washington was formerly N.C. A&T’s defensive coordinator.
• Weather hasn’t been a friend to Norfolk State as the Spartans haven’t played a full game of football since Sept. 1 versus Virginia State. NSU’s game versus James Madison was halted due to weather after a quarter while last week’s contest at Liberty was postponed.
• The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced a partnership with the MEAC to reveal the league’s offensive and defensive players of the year as part of the festivities surrounding the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 4 at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. This marks the third consecutive year the players will be honored in New York.
• The 14th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge saw North Carolina Central fall to Prairie View A&M on Sunday, Sept. 2. The SWAC holds a two-game winning streak for the first time in series history.
• The winner of the MEAC’s regular season title will earn a bid to the 4th annual Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, Ga. on Dec. 15 at Mercedes Benz Stadium. The bowl, which pits the MEAC Champion versus the SWAC Champion, is the only FCS league to host a bowl game as the MEAC leads the series 2-1.