NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 14, 2022 – North Carolina Central junior quarterback Davius Richard was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Football Offensive Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, the conference announced today. Morgan State sophomore linebacker Erick Hunter was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Morgan State’s Keith Jenkins, Jr. was named Rookie of the Week. North Carolina Central sophomore Torricelli Simpkins III was named Offensive Lineman of the Week, and Morgan State junior defensive back Hosea Robinson earned Specialist of the Week honors.
 
Richard (QB, 6-3, 215, Jr., Belle Glade, Fla.) racked up 398 yards of total offense on his own in the Eagles’ win at Norfolk State, giving them a share of the MEAC title and a berth to the Cricket Celebration Bowl. Richard passed for 374 yards and four touchdowns against the Spartans, while also rushing for a score – marking the third time this season Richard has accounted for at least five touchdowns.
 
Hunter (LB, 6-4, 204, So., Capitol Heights, Md.) wreaked havoc throughout the day in the Bears’ dominant win at Delaware State. He totaled 11 stops overall (10 solo), including 4.0 tackles for loss (totaling 17 yards) and two sacks. He also broke up a pass against the Hornets.
 
Jenkins (RS, 6-1, 185, Fr., Gainesville, Va.) showed again why he is one of the best kick returners in FCS, picking his way through the Hornets and dashing down the right sideline to open the second half with a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown that gave the Bears a 23-7 lead in what ended up being a 37-7 win.
 
Simpkins (C, 6-5, 310, So., Charlotte, N.C.) anchored an Eagles offensive line that paved the way for North Carolina Central to rack up 548 yards of total offense in a win at Norfolk State. Recording three pancake blocks, Simpkins graded out at 89% in helping NCCU’s offense average 8.3 yards per play and record 201 rushing yards.
 
Robinson (DB, 5-10, 200, Jr., Waldorf, Md.) set the tone for the Bears early, blocking Delaware State’s first punt of the game and picking the ball up for a 26-yard return for a touchdown.
 
Other Top Performers
Brooks Parker (Delaware State) had six tackles, including two sacks, and a pass breakup against Morgan State.
 
Anim Dankwah (Howard) graded out at 95% as the Bison racked up 371 yards of total offense against South Carolina State.
 
Cameron Dyson (Howard) recorded a career-high 12 tackles (nine solo) against South Carolina State.
 
Eden James (Howard) rushed for 77 yards on 11 carries against South Carolina State.
 
Jarrett Hunter (Howard) rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown against South Carolina State, while also catching a pair of touchdown passes – tallying a career-best 192 all-purpose yards.
 
Jayden Flaker (North Carolina Central) blocked a Norfolk State punt in the second quarter that eventually led to an Eagles touchdown.
 
Kole Jones (North Carolina Central) recorded seven tackles (three solo) and an interception against Norfolk State.
 
Max U’Ren (North Carolina Central) tied for the team lead against Norfolk State with seven tackles.