HBCU notebook: South Carolina State's Javon Hargrave makes statement

ORLANDO, Florida  -- The first full week of college football boasted a number of great performances, but few were as notable as Javon Hargrave, South Carolina State's outstanding defensive end. Hargrave had 7 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks to lead South Carolina State in a 35-7 win Sunday over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the 11th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney in Orlando, Florida.

For his efforts in the Bulldogs' season opener, Hargrave, the MEAC preseason defensive player of the year, was named the game's most valuable player and ESPN.com's HBCU player of the week. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound senior showed off his strength and quickness against the Golden Lions' running attack and in the passing game.

For South Carolina State head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough, and others who have followed Hargrave's playing days in the MEAC, this isn't a surprise.

"Javon is a special player," Pough said. "He's just so good. He continues to amaze me. We can't block him in practice. He's in the best condition he's ever been in. It really shows with the way he's covering a lot of ground. He's a heck of a kid, too."

CONTINUE READING