MEAC week three football honors

Photo: FAMU #10, Tyrone McGriff smashes Howard University offense for two sacks, 11 tackles.

By MEAC Sports information

Senior runningback Chad Simpson of Morgan State University and Tyrone McGriff of Florida A&M University were selected as the MEAC Football Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, the league announced Monday.

Phillip Sylvester also of Florida A&M earned his second Rookie of the Week accolade, while teammates Dennis Conley and Kevin Teel of Hampton earned offensive lineman and special team’s player of the week honors respectively.

Simpson (RB, 5-9, 210, Sr., Miami, Fla.) ran for a career-best 221 yards on 41 carries including a 33 yard touchdown run as the Bears fell in the final seconds to Winston Salem State, 19-17. He also had 68 yards on three kickoff returns. Simpson is currently averaging 186.0 yards, third best among NCAA D-I (FCS) players, in three games and has rushed for five TDs.

McGriff (DE, 6-1, 217, Sr., Tallahassee, Fla.) led the Rattlers in tackles with 11, eight solo, in a 30-17 win over Howard. McGriff also recorded two sacks for a loss of 16 yards and four and a half tackles for a loss of 20 yards.

Sylvester (RB, 5-10, 185, Fr., Marianna, Fla.) was one-of-two players to post over 200 yards rushing in MEAC action this week. Sylvester rushed for 222 yards on 21 carries and tallied nine yards on two receptions. He also ran back two kickoffs for 41 yards. His longest run of 94 yards resulted in a touchdown, giving the Rattlers the 20-10 lead over Howard. The freshman, who also received Rookie of the Week honors in week one, accounted for 276 all-purpose yards in the win. Sylvester currently ranks 15th in rushing among NCAA D-I (FCS) players.

Photo: FAMU #30, Phillip Sylvester takes it 94 yards through Howard University defense for TD.

Conley (LG, 6-4, 257, r-So., Suffolk, Va.) graded out at 94-percent on assignments as he aided the Pirates to 438 total offensive yards in a win over N.C. A&T. Conley led the way for the Pirates’ 228 yards on the ground and 210 yards passing that resulted in three touchdowns for quarterback TJ Mitchell. He also collected two pancake blocks in the win.

Teel (WR, 5-9, 168, Jr., Bowie, MD) recorded a 70-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Pirates win. He amassed 95 total yards on returns and also notched 68 yards receiving with a touchdown.

Other Top Performers

Josh Brite (DSU) had eight punts for 321 yards (40.1 average) with one inside the 20 and one touchback for the Hornets.

Rafael Bush (SCSU) tallied nine tackles, with all but one unassisted, against the nationally ranked South Carolina Gamecocks.

Will Ford (SCSU) rushed for 112 yards on 17 carries against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Jerrell Guyton (MSU) collected a career-high 14 tackles (10 solo) and a sack in the Bears slim loss to the Winston-Salem State Rams.

Dakarai Grimsley (MSU) graded out a 98-percent on his assignments and collected five pancake blocks as he led the Bears to 366 total offensive yards against the Rams.

Justin Keable (BCU) punt for 191 yards on five attempts including a 48-yarder that pinned the Tigers deep in their own territory as Bethune-Cookman posted their second win of the season.

James Lee (SCSU) had two pancake blocks as he helped the Bulldogs to 196 yards rushing against intrastate rival South Carolina.

Van Morgan (HAM) rushed for 154 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns in the win over N.C. A&T State.

Russell Reeves (DSU) led all tackles with 14, eight solo, and one sack for a loss of three yards in the Hornets loss to Kent State. He also posted a forced fumble and one pass breakup for the Hornets defense.

Jimmie Russell (BCU) scored three rushing touchdowns with 65 yards on 12 carries in the Wildcats win over Savannah State. Russell also completed 10-of-15 passes for 112 yards in the victory.

Carlo Turavani (HAM) scored 11 points completing 8-of-8 extra point attempts and a 28-yard field goal as the Pirates defeated N.C. A&T 59-14.

Bobbie Williams (BCU) accounted for 10 tackles, five solo, and three pass breakups in the Wildcats 38-13 victory over Savannah State.