NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 8, 2021 – Norfolk State running back J.J. Davis was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Football Offensive Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, as well as Rookie of the Week, the conference announced today. North Carolina Central linebacker Noah Rainbow-Douglas and South Carolina State defensive lineman Patrick Godbolt were named Co-Defensive Players of the Week. Norfolk State’s Justin Redd was named Offensive Lineman of the Week and earning Specialist of the Week honors was South Carolina State’s Gavyn Zimmerman.
 
Davis (RB, 5-9, 170, r-Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio) rushed for a career-high 217 yards on 18 carries (the highest single-game rushing total for Norfolk State since 2007), finding the end zone three times in the Spartans’ double-overtime loss at North Carolina Central. He averaged 12.1 yards per carry and had an 88-yard rush, the longest in program history. Davis tallied 237 all-purpose yards and two of his touchdowns came in the overtime sessions.
 
Rainbow-Douglas (LB, 6-0, 215, r-Sr., Philadelphia, Pa.) racked up 15 tackles, six solo, in the Eagles’ double-overtime win over Norfolk State. He had 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack, and he included a pass break-up.
 
Godbolt (DL, 6-3, 235, r-So., Blythewood, S.C.) had nine tackles, all solo, in South Carolina State’s 15-12 win over Howard this past Saturday – including four tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble.
           
Redd (OL, 6-5, 315, r-Jr., Hampton, Va.) graded out at 97 percent against North Carolina Central, recording four pancake blocks while not committing a penalty or giving up a sack. He helped the Spartans recorded 483 yards of total offense and a season-high 328 yards on the ground.
 
Zimmerman (K, 5-11, 130, Fr., Sumter, S.C.) connected on a pair of field goals (30 and 31 yards, respectively) to lead South Carolina State to a 15-12 win over Howard.

Other Top Performers
Christian White (Howard) had 11 tackles (nine solo) against South Carolina State, including two for loss.
 
Chris Anthony (Morgan State) had four pancake blocks and graded out at 96 percent in a 20-14 win over Delaware State.
 
Torricelli Simpkins III (North Carolina Central) racked up seven pancake blocks in helping the Eagles record 334 yards of total offense.
 
Juan Velarde (North Carolina Central) averaged 41.2 yards per punt, including a season long of 58 yards and two punts inside the 20 against Norfolk State.
 
Octavean Minter (South Carolina State) had three tackles, including one for loss, against Howard.