NORFOLK, Va., November 20, 2023 – North Carolina Central quarterback Davius Richard was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Morgan State’s Jordan Toles earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, while Norfolk State linebacker A.J. Richardson was named Rookie of the Week. NCCU’s Da’Quan Thomas and teammate Adrian Olivo received Offensive Lineman and Specialist of the Week accolades, respectively.
Richard (QB, 6-3, 220, Sr., Belle Glade, Fla.) accounted for six touchdowns in the Eagles’ 55-14 win over Delaware State. He threw for five touchdowns and a career-high 386 yards on 19-for-21 passing. He added 35 yards rushing with one touchdown on the ground. During his final home contest, Richard broke the NCCU career record for pass completions with 695 and became NCCU’s career-leader in total offense with 10,704 yards.
Toles (DB, 6-1, 209, Sr., Baltimore, Md.) had a busy day for the Bears as he collected a game-high 14 tackles, nine solo, with one tackle for a loss of two yards.
Richardson (LB, 6-1, 235, Fr., King’s Mountain, N.C.) led the Spartans with 10 tackles, including four solo, and one for a loss against South Carolina State.
Thomas (OL, 6-2, 290, Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla.) recorded a block grade of 89% with two pancake blocks as the Eagles amassed 669 yards of total offense and scored 55 points in a win over Delaware State. The 669 yards of total offense represents the third-most total yards in NCCU history.
Olivo (K, 5-10, 195, Sr., Plant City, Fla.) became NCCU’s all-time leading scorer by tallying 13 points (2 field goals, 7 PAT kicks) on Saturday for 281 career points, while also breaking the career record for extra-point kicks with 149.
Other Top Performers
Kenny Gallop, Jr. (Howard) led the team with eight solo tackles in a win over Morgan State.
Jarett Hunter (Howard) recorded his second straight 100-yard rushing performance with 108 yards on 20 carries with one touchdown in a win over Morgan State.
Joseph White (Norfolk State) collected ten tackles, two solo, with a forced fumble and recovered fumble against South Carolina State.