Media Center | MEAC Weekly Teleconference | MEAC Weekly Notes
NORFOLK, Va., Oct. 9, 2019—With two full weeks of conference play in the books, things are tight at the top of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) standings – with four teams unbeaten in league play (including ineligible Florida A&M). This weekend, which starts on Thursday with a nationally-televised ESPNU contest between MEAC unbeaten Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina Central, should begin adding clarity to the picture.
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (4-1, 2-0 MEAC) vs. North Carolina Central Eagles (2-4, 1-1 MEAC)
Thursday, Oct. 10 • O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium • Durham, N.C. • 6 p.m.
TV: ESPNU
Bethune-Cookman is on a roll, looking for its fourth straight victory. Quarterback Akevious Williams completed seven of 16 passes for 156 yards and three scores (all to Jimmie Robinson) in the Wildcats' 31-20 win over Morgan State this past weekend. Williams also ripped off 124 yards on 25 carries. North Carolina Central freshman quarterback Davius Richard was named the MEAC Rookie of the Week for the second time in three weeks after the young signal-caller threw for 220 yards and two scores and ran for 40 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles' 28-21 loss to Florida A&M. Entering Saturday, the Eagles lead the nation in takeaways with 16. Safety Deonta Fair added to that, recording the 11
th pick of the season for the Eagles defense. It was just the second pick thrown by FAMU quarterback Ryan Stanley all season. Bethune-Cookman has dominated the series in recent years, winning eight of the last nine meetings between the schools, including last season.
Norfolk State Spartans (1-5, 0-2 MEAC) vs. Howard Bison (1-5, 1-1 MEAC)
Saturday, Oct. 12 • Greene Stadium • Washington, D.C. • 1 p.m.
TV: MEAC Digital Network / ESPN3
The Spartans enter the game with four straight losses after falling 58-19 to North Carolina A&T last weekend. Quarteback Juwan Carter completed 24 of 44 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown in the loss. He spread the ball around, as eight different receivers caught a pass and four caught at least four passes. In his second career start, Howard freshman quarterback Quinton Williams threw for 224 yards and a touchdown in last weekend's 62-17 loss to Harvard. Receiver Kyle Anthony had four catches for 118 yards and needs just 12 catches to become the program leader in that category. Despite the loss, Howard made history, as it was the first time Harvard played an HBCU in football. Howard will welcome Norfolk State to D.C. for Homecoming. The two schools have been evenly matched in recent years, splitting the last four meetings. Norfolk State won last year, 29-17.
Delaware State Hornets (1-4, 0-3 MEAC) vs. Morgan State Bears (0-5, 0-2 MEAC)
Saturday, Oct. 12 • Earl Banks Field at Hughes Stadium • Baltimore, Md. • 1 p.m.
TV: MEAC Digital Network / ESPN3
Linebacker Rico Kennedy was named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Bears' 31-20 loss to Bethune-Cookman this past Saturday. He racked up a game-high 15 tackles (four TFL) to go along with a sack and a pick. Receiver Manasseh Bailey was named MEAC Specialist of the Week after he blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for the Bears' final score. Freshman quarterback Tylik Bethea went completed 17 of 37 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown in the Hornets' home loss to South Carolina State, and the 17 completions and 198 yards both marked career highs for the young passer. Linebacker Pontraille Gray, filling in for Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Brian Cavicante, led the Hornets with a career-high 11 tackles (nine solo), including a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss. D'Andre Blue-Eli had his team-high second interception of the season. This game marks the Bears' Homecoming game. The Bears have won three of the last four matchups, including a 9-0 victory last season.
Florida A&M Rattlers (4-1, 2-0) vs. South Carolina State Bulldogs (3-1, 1-0 MEAC)
Saturday, Oct. 12 • Bulldog Stadium • Orangeburg, S.C. • 2 p.m.
TV: ESPN3 (Rebroadcast on ESPNU at 10:30 p.m. EST)
Florida A&M quarterback Ryan Stanley completed 22 of 32 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns in the Rattlers' 28-21 win over North Carolina Central this past weekend. was named the BoxToRow National Player of the Week on Monday, and Stanley needs just 27 yards to break Quinn Gray's school record for career passing yards (7,378). In addition, he needs just seven touchdown passes to become the Rattlers' all-time leader in that category. Receiver Xavier Smith had nine catches for 129 yards and a pair of scores. South Carolina State quarterback Tyrece Nick was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Bulldogs' 38-24 win over Delaware State. Nick completed 16 of 28 passes for 253 yards and a school-record five touchdown passes. The record was previously held by Marvin Marshall (1994), Reese McCampbell (2000 and 2003) Malcolm Long (2009) and Richard Cue (2013) with four. He also displayed his dual-threat ability, with 14 carries for 105 yards. Wide receiver De'Montrez Burroughs finished with five catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns. South Carolina State racked up a season-best 452 total yards on offense. South Carolina State won the last meeting between the schools, 44-21, last year.