Football | 9/11/2025 4:58:18 PM
The MEAC continues non-conference play in Week 3 with a competitive slate of regional rivalries and high-profile matchups.
Howard takes the field at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., squaring off against Morehouse College, while Delaware State, fresh off its first win of the season, welcomes Bowie State to Alumni Stadium in Dover. Morgan State will travel to Ohio, to face the Toledo Rockets, while Norfolk State, coming off a decisive win over Virginia State, heads north to SHI Stadium for a matchup with Big Ten opponent Rutgers. South Carolina State will host Bethune-Cookman of the SWAC at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, while North Carolina Central rounds out the weekend in Durham, returning to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium to host CIAA foe Fayetteville State.
WEEKLY NOTES | COACHES CONFERENCE
Here is a glimpse at this week’s contests.
Howard Bison (1-1, 0-0 MEAC) at Morehouse Maroon Tigers (0-1, 0-0 SIAC)
Saturday, September 13 | Met Life Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ | 1:00 P.M.
TV: HBCUGo | Live Stats
The Howard Bison return to the field for their third straight road contest, squaring off with Morehouse College at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Howard looks to rebound after struggling offensively in last week’s setback at Temple, where the Bison managed just 39 passing yards and 98 on the ground. Morehouse enters 0-1 following a 45-9 loss to Division II Johnson C. Smith. Quarterback Miles Scott will be a focal point for the Bison defense after throwing for 262 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-27 passing, including a 71-yard strike, in the Maroon Tigers’ opener. The matchup renews a historic series that dates back to 1923. Howard leads the all-time set 28-10-2 and rides a five-game win streak, including last year’s 35-21 victory.
Bowie State Bulldogs (1-0, 0-0 CIAA) at Delaware State Hornets (1-1, 0-0 MEAC)
Saturday, September 13 | Alumni Stadium | Dover, DE | 3:00 P.M.
TV: ESPN+ | Live Stats
Delaware State returns home after a 37-32 victory against UAlbany, marking both the first win of the DeSean Jackson era and the Hornets’ first home triumph since 2023. The rushing attack fueled the victory with 346 yards, led by Marquis Gillis’ 163 yards on 28 carries and quarterback Kaiden Bennett’s 137 yards on 13 attempts. Bowie State (1-0) visits Dover following a 23-7 season-opening win over Shippensburg. The Bulldogs displayed balance behind redshirt senior quarterback Malakai Anthony, who threw for 140 yards on 12-of-19 passing while the team added 201 yards on the ground. Saturday marks the third meeting in the series, currently tied 1-1. Bowie State claimed the most recent contest, 22-11. Following this home outing the Hornets embarks on a three-game road swing before returning to Alumni Stadium on Oct. 11.
Morgan State Bears (0-2, 0-0 MEAC) at Toledo Rockets (1-1, 0-0 MAC)
Saturday, September 13 | Glass Bowl Stadium | Toledo, OH | 3:30 P.M.
TV: ESPN+ | Live Stats
Morgan State heads to Ohio for its second FBS test of the season, facing Toledo after a narrow 27-22 loss to crosstown rival Towson. The Bears (0-2) battled throughout, briefly taking the lead late in the fourth quarter on a two-yard touchdown run by Jason Collins Jr. before Towson answered with the game-winning score in the final 24 seconds. Despite the early setbacks, Morgan State’s offense has shown promise, ranking second in the MEAC with 21.5 points per game through two outings. Toledo (1-1) enters with momentum after a 45-21 victory over Western Kentucky, following a competitive 24-16 season-opening loss to SEC foe Kentucky. The Rockets were tabbed preseason favorites in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and return four 2024 All-MAC honorees, led by standout wide receiver Junior Vandeross III. Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between Morgan State and Toledo.
Norfolk State Spartans (1-1, 0-0 MEAC) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Saturday, September 13 | SHI Stadium | Piscataway, NJ | 3:30 P.M.
TV: Big 10 Network | Live Stats
The Norfolk State Spartans travel to Piscataway, N.J., to take on Rutgers after rallying for a 34-31 overtime victory against in-state rival Virginia State. Trailing 23-10 entering the fourth quarter, the Spartans turned to quarterback Otto Kuhns, who delivered the spark needed to complete the comeback and secure the first win of the Michael Vick era. Kuhns finished 13-of-20 for 173 yards and two touchdowns in just one quarter of action. Rutgers (2-0) counters with momentum following a 45-17 win over Miami (OH). Senior quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis guided the Scarlet Knights’ balanced attack, throwing for 259 yards on 26-of-36 passing, while the rushing unit added 187 yards behind an experienced offensive line. The Scarlet Knights lead the all-time series 4-0, with the most recent meeting in 2015 producing a 63-13 Rutgers victory.
Bethune- Cookman Wildcats (0-2, 0-0 SWAC) at South Carolina State (1-1, 0-0 MEAC)
Saturday, September 13 | Oliver C. Dawson Stadium | Orangeburg, SC | 6:00 P.M.
TV: ESPN+ | Live Stats
South Carolina State returns to Orangeburg looking to regroup after a 38-10 loss to No. 10 South Carolina. The reigning MEAC champions showed resilience defensively, keeping the Gamecocks off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter, while posting 208 passing yards and 106 rushing yards. Head coach Chennis Berry and the Bulldogs welcomes former MEAC conference foe Bethune-Cookman (0-2), which managed just 12 points, yet surrendering 87 through its first two games. The Wildcats most recently fell 45-3 at No. 5 Miami. South Carolina State leads the all-time series 34-24, including a 33-9 victory in the most recent matchup in 2022 at Daytona Beach, Fla.
Fayetteville State Broncos (0-2, 0-0 CIAA) at North Carolina Central Eagles (1-2, 0-0 MEAC)
Saturday, September 13 | O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium | Durham, NC | 6:00 P.M.
TV: ESPN+ | Live Stats
North Carolina Central returns to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Saturday evening to host in-state Division II foe Fayetteville State. The Eagles (1-2) are looking to regroup after back-to-back offensive struggles, including a 54-6 loss at FBS opponent Old Dominion in which they totaled just 224 yards and committed three turnovers. Fayetteville State (0-2) comes in seeking its first win after a 10-0 season-opening loss to Benedict and a 31-24 setback to UNC Pembroke, where the Broncos were held scoreless in the fourth quarter. NCCU leads the all-time series 24-9, dating back to 1936, and claimed the most recent meeting in 2012 with a 54-31 victory.