NORFOLK, Va., — A big showdown in Orangeburg, S.C. highlights Week 10 of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) football, as North Carolina A&T State and South Carolina State — both 3-1 in league play — square off at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in a contest to be rebroadcast on ESPNU.
Elsewhere, Norfolk State will celebrate Homecoming against Morgan State, North Carolina Central will visit the nation’s capital to take on Howard and Delaware State will fly to Tallahassee, Fla. to take on the Rattlers.
North Carolina A&T State Aggies (5-2, 3-1 MEAC) vs. South Carolina State Bulldogs (5-2, 3-1 MEAC)
Saturday, Nov. 2 • Oliver C. Dawson Stadium • Orangeburg, S.C. • 1:30 P.M.
TV: ESPN3 (Rebroadcast on ESPNU @ 1:30 a.m.)
Running back Jah-Maine Martin was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season after his performance in the No. 16/16 Aggies’ 64-6 rout of Howard this past weekend.
Martin ripped off 138 yards and three scores on just seven carries, averaging 19.7 yards a rush. Linebacker Jacob Roberts had a huge day in his first-ever Homecoming game; he was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week after racking up 15 tackles (six for loss) and three sacks in the win over Howard.
That performance also earned Roberts STATS FCS National Freshman Player of the Week honors. “He was a one-man wrecking crew,” Aggies head coach Sam Washington said. “Since the first day I told him, there’s only one other freshman who has played for me. He has made me proud ever since that moment. I’m expecting much more from him.”
South Carolina State handed Bethune-Cookman its first MEAC loss of the season this past Saturday, thanks largely to 108 rushing yards from Labron Morris. Tyrece Nick had two touchdowns for the Bulldogs — one passing and one rushing.
The two conference heavyweights, who are both 3-1 in league play, will meet for the 55th time, with the Bulldogs leading the all-time series, 31-21-2.
North Carolina Central Eagles (3-5, 2-2 MEAC) vs. Howard Bison (1-7, 1-3 MEAC)
Saturday, Nov. 2 • Greene Stadium • Washington, D.C. • 1 p.m.
TV: MEAC Digital Network / ESPN3
Eagles punt returner Brandon Codrington was named MEAC Specialist of the Week for his performance in the Eagles’ 30-23 win over Delaware State this past Saturday. He returned a kickoff 75 yards for the game-winning touchdown after the Hornets had tied the score with 50 seconds left in regulation.
Codrington also had a touchdown-saving tackle on a Delaware State kickoff return. Meanwhile, Howard receiver Kyle Anthony is in pursuit of several records. After catching three passes in the Bison’s 64-6 loss to North Carolina A&T State, Anthony now has 178 for his career.
He needs six receptions to break the school record held by Gary “Flea” Harrell. He also needs six touchdown receptions to become the program’s all-time leader. The Eagles have won the last five matchups between the two schools, including a 40-35 thriller last season.
Morgan State Bears (1-7, 1-4 MEAC) vs. Norfolk State Spartans (2-6, 1-3 MEAC)
Saturday, Nov. 2 • Dick Price Stadium • Norfolk, Va. • 2 p.m.
TV: MEAC Digital Network / ESPN3
Juwan Carter threw for 221 yards and a touchdown in the Spartans’ 35-22 loss to Bethune-Cookman back on Week 8, as Norfolk State was idle this past week.
Kevin Johnson ran for 99 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries and caught four passes for 81 yards and another touchdown in that contest. Manasseh Bailey had six catches for 90 yards in the Bears’ 24-12 loss to Florida A&M this past Saturday.
Norfolk State has dominated the series in recent years, winning nine of the last 10 games against Morgan State. However, the Bears’ lone win came last season, 44-27.
Courtesy: MEAC
