Listening to the Coaches in the MEAC you can quickly see why the MEAC has been so successful in games against the SWAC. They talk about WAR. Each week and Each game in the MEAC is war between two opposing forces and it take grit and raw strength to survive and thrive in this tough conference. Coach Odom of Norfolk State spoke today about the need for his team to improve in the weight room and how despite bringing in talent, the MEAC was about pushing people off the line and imposing your will on teams. In the media session with SWAC coaches, Coach Deion Sanders also mentioned the need they had this year to improve physically. It takes strength, discipline, and grit to shine in the MEAC, and this week these are the young men that put those attributes on full display.
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North Carolina Central junior quarterback Davius Richard and Howard University senior quarterback Quinton Williams were named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Football Co-Offensive Players of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, the conference announced today. Morgan State senior cornerback Jae’Veyon Morton was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Delaware State wide receiver Rahkeem Smith was named Rookie of the Week. Howard University sophomore Darius Fox was named Offensive Lineman of the Week, and Morgan State sophomore kicker Beckett Leary earned Specialist of the Week honors.
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Richard (QB, 6-3, 215, Jr., Belle Glade, Fla.)amassed 349 yards of total offense and three touchdowns against Delaware State. He rushed for 77 yards, ending a run in the end zone. He also recorded two touchdowns through the air, including a late 25-yard score with 56 seconds left, closing the day with 19 completions out of 27 attempts for 272 yards.
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Williams (QB, 6-5, 200, Sr., Upper Marlboro, Md.)ended the day with four total touchdowns in a road victory against Norfolk State. He completed 17 of 22 attempts through the air, ending the day with three touchdown passes. He also ran for an additional touchdown and accumulated 57 rushing yards in total.
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Morton (CB, 5-9, 180, Sr., Detroit, Mich.) ran an interception back for a defensive touchdown and accumulated two tackles and a pass breakup in the Bears’ upset of South Carolina State – all part of a 24-point fourth quarter for Morgan State, as the Bears forced six turnovers in the game.
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Smith (WR, 5-9, 170, Fr., Baltimore, Md.) had 102 total offensive yards, three receptions for 55 yards, and two touchdowns, and ran for an additional touchdown ending the day with 47 rushing yards against North Carolina Central. For the game, he found the end zone three times.
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Fox (OL, 6-3, 308, So., Washington, D.C.) graded out at 96% against Norfolk State, playing a pivotal role in the offense, reaching 260 rushing yards and 460 yards of total offense. He ended the day with six critical blocks without allowing a sack or committing a penalty.
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Leary (K, 6-3, 215, So., Fulton Md.) helped the Bears establish a lead against South Carolina State, accumulating 11 total points. He converted all five of his PATs and connected on two field goals. He also averaged 58.6 yards on kickoffs and recorded one touchback.
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Other Top Performers
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Romell Harris-Freeman (Delaware State) had two interceptions on the day; the second interception was in the end zone on 3rd-and-5 from the Hornet’s 8-yard line against North Carolina Central.
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Aaron Bickerton (Howard) made seven PATs in the Bison’s road win at Norfolk State.
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Kenny Gallop, Jr. (Howard) recorded a team-leading eight total tackles in the road win at Norfolk State.
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Eden James (Howard) had 10 carries for 114 rushing yards (career-high), including a career-best 66-yard touchdown run, in the road victory at Norfolk State.
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Alfonzo Graham (Morgan State) ran for 123 yards, with two touchdowns on 18 carries leading Morgan to a historic 41-14 win over South Carolina State. He scored on an 8-yard TD run in the first quarter and broke off a 35-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
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Jordin Lennon (Norfolk State) had seven carries for 114 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown run against Howard.
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Manny Smith (North Carolina Central) registered six tackles, including a sack that forced a fumble that led to an Eagles touchdown. He added another stop for a loss and two pass breakups against Delaware State.
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Max U’Ren (North Carolina Central) recorded seven tackles, including a takedown for a loss, against Delaware State.
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Juan Velarde (North Carolina Central) kicked three punts 139 yards for an average of 46.3 yards, including a long of 50 yards, and placed one inside the 20-yard line against Delaware State.
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