NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 4, 2023 – North Carolina Central senior quarterback Davius Richard was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Football Offensive Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Morgan State junior linebacker Erick Hunter earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, while Howard freshman Jamarr Ebron was named Rookie of the Week. North Carolina Central junior Da’Quan Thomas received Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades, and North Carolina Central return specialist Brandon Codrington was named Specialist of the Week.
 
Richard (QB, 6-3, 220, Sr., Belle Glade, Fla.) amassed 278 total offensive yards and four touchdowns in a 47-21 win over Winston-Salem State. He connected on 15 of 22 passes for 236 yards and three passing touchdowns, and he also ran for 42 yards on five carries with one touchdown. His 86-yard touchdown toss was the longest pass play by the Eagles since 2018.
 
Hunter (LB, 6-4, 210, Jr., Capitol Heights, Md.) recorded 11 tackles, four solo, with 1.5 sacks for a four-yard loss in a 17-10 victory over No. 16/18 Richmond. He recorded a critical strip-sack against the Spiders’ quarterback to set up the final score of the night and seal the victory. He also added two QB hurries to help the Bears earn their first season-opening win since 2012.
 
Ebron (WR, 5-9, 160, Fr., Washington, D.C.) caught a 69-yard pass for a touchdown in his first career reception. He finished the game with two catches for 79 yards against Eastern Michigan.
 
Thomas (OL, 6-2, 290, R-Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla.) graded out at 93 percent of all blocking assignments as he aided NCCU with 448 yards of total offense and five offensive touchdowns. He amassed eight pancake blocks in the Eagles’ season-opening win.
 
Codrington (RS/DB, 5-9, 185, Sr., Raleigh, N.C.) returned three punts for 98 years, including an 81-yard touchdown, the fourth-longest punt return in school history and the third special teams score of his career. He also returned three kickoffs for 66 yards.  
 
Other Top Performers
Kenny Gallop, Jr. (Howard) recorded a team-high seven tackles (four solo) against Eastern Michigan.
 
Kasey Hawthrone (Howard) tallied 84 all-purpose yards, including 47 rushing and 37 receiving, with a pair of touchdowns against Eastern Michigan.
 
Jayden Flaker (North Carolina Central) registered a team-high nine tackles, including 1.5 stops for a loss and a sack, in a 47-21 win over Winston-Salem State.
 
AJ Richardson (Norfolk State) collected nine total tackles, five solo, and recovered one fumble against Virginia State in his first collegiate game.