MEAC Football Returns to Action Saturday; Howard, Hampton Renew Rivalry at Audi Field

Football | 10/2/2026 3:48:41 PM

NORFOLK, Va. – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) returns to action Saturday with all six teams in action, highlighted by the 101st meeting between Howard and Hampton in the “Battle of the Real HU” at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

The Bison and Pirates will meet at 3 p.m., with the game airing on HBCU Go.

The remaining MEAC teams in action will face nonconference opponents, with Morgan State traveling to Villanova, Norfolk State visiting Robert Morris, South Carolina State hosting The Citadel, Delaware State traveling to UAlbany and North Carolina Central hosting Campbell.

Week 5 Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 3
Morgan State at Villanova | 1:00 PM | ESPN+
Norfolk State at Robert Morris | 2:00 PM | ESPN+
The Citadel at South Carolina State | 2:00 PM | MEAC Network
Howard at Hampton | 3:00 PM | HBCU Go
Delaware State at UAlbany | 3:30 PM | FloSports
Campbell at North Carolina Central | 6:00 PM | MEAC Network
 
*All Times ET
 
MEAC Football Notes
Shining Against the FCS
MEAC teams have posted an 11-4 record against opponents from other FCS conferences this season.
 
South Carolina State’s Fast Start
Through four games, No. 15/12 South Carolina State ranks first nationally in scoring offense, averaging 47.0 points per game, and second in scoring defense at 10.2 points allowed per game. The Bulldogs also lead the MEAC and rank second nationally in total defense, allowing just 189.4 yards per game. Individually, Mason Pickett-Hicks ranks fourth nationally in rushing with 613 yards.
 
MEAC in the Rankings
South Carolina State remained the unanimous No. 1 team in the latest Black College Football Division I FCS poll, receiving all 27 first-place votes and 540 total points.

Delaware State (No. 4), Morgan State (No. 7) and Norfolk State (No. 10) also landed in the Top 10, while North Carolina Central and Howard received votes.

The remaining national polls are listed below:
 
Stats Perform AFCA BOXTOROW
Delaware State - RV #5
Howard - - RV
Morgan State RV - #7
Norfolk State - - RV
North Carolina Central - - -
South Carolina State #15 #12 #1
 
Around the League
  • Bulldogs Remain Unbeaten
    • South Carolina State remained unbeaten Saturday, defeating Bethune-Cookman, 31-21, to improve to 5-0 on the season. The Bulldogs built a 24-7 halftime lead behind two touchdown passes from Keely Watson and 136 rushing yards from Mason Pickett-Hicks. Bethune-Cookman rallied in the third quarter to pull within three points, but Josh Shaw’s 1-yard touchdown run with 1:56 remaining sealed the victory for South Carolina State. Watson completed 15-of-21 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns, while the Bulldogs finished with 430 total yards.
  • Hornets Get Back on Track
    • Delaware State rallied for a 33-28 win over Towson on Saturday night, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 42 seconds remaining on a six-yard run to cap an 11-play, 90-yard drive. Ui Ale led the Hornets with 71 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Jaylin Terzado hauled in eight passes for 82 yards. Andrew Harris recorded four tackles, 1.0 TFL, an interception and a fumble recovery, as Delaware State forced four turnovers and turned them into 13 points.
  • Spartans Stay Hot
    • Norfolk State pulled away from Chicago State, 43-20, Saturday to improve to 3-2 on the season. The Spartans scored 29 straight points after Chicago State took an early 7-0 lead, with Da’Jean Golmond accounting for two touchdowns and Jason Wonodi and Jalyn Daniels each adding rushing scores. Daniels rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, including a 95-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, while Golmond passed for 265 yards and two touchdowns. Wonodi added a 76-yard rushing touchdown as Norfolk State totaled 358 rushing yards and 623 yards of total offense.
 
About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) enters its 56th year of intercollegiate competition with the 2026–27 academic year. Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, the MEAC is comprised of eight distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) along the Atlantic seaboard: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, and South Carolina State University. Since its founding in 1970, the MEAC has been dedicated to promoting academic excellence, sportsmanship, and the personal growth of student athletes. For more information, visit www.MEACSports.com.