B-CU Terry Sims named MEAC football coach of year

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Bethune-Cookman Football first-year head coach Terry Sims was honored as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, announced Monday afternoon by the league office in Norfolk, Virginia. In addition, five B-CU student-athletes were named to the all-conference first team, while another five were selected to the second and third team, respectfully.

Terry Sims, having taken over the reins of the Wildcats program on December 22, 2014, guided the Wildcats to a share of the MEAC title in 2015, including a 9-2 overall finish and 7-1 mark in league play. For the Maroon and Gold, the title represented the school’s fourth consecutive (eighth overall), matching South Carolina State (1980-83) for the second-longest streak in MEAC history.

The Wildcats were victorious over in-state rival Florida A&M, 35-14 in the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic to secure their stake in the conference title. B-CU led the MEAC in several statistical categories, including scoring offense (31.4 avg/g), total offense (445.0 avg/g), rushing offense (191.8 yds./g), pass offense (253.2 avg/g), and pass efficiency (164.1 efficiency). The Cats also hold top 10 positions in the FCS in passing yards per completion (6th) and team passing efficiency (3rd). B-CU entered the STATS FCS Top 25 poll in the final ranking of the season (25th) and have slowly climbed the FCS Coaches Poll to reach No. 21 following the last game of the regular season.

Also representing Bethune-Cookman on the All-MEAC First team was quarterback Quentin Williams (Tampa, Fla.), wide receiver Jawill Davis (Miami, Fla.), offensive lineman Dariusz Bladek (Kissimmee, Fla.), linebacker Robert Way (Belle Glade, Fla.) and defensive back Marquis Drayton (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.).

Williams, a redshirt senior, enjoyed statistically his best season at Bethune-Cookman in 2015. He finished the regular season as the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) leader in passing efficiency (187.2), third in passing yards per completion (16.45), tied for 23rd in passing touchdowns (19), tied for 39th in points responsible for (134), 40th in passing yards (2,171), tied for 40th in points responsible per game (12.2) and 46th in passing yards per game (196.9).

Davis is earning his first postseason accolade, finishing the year leading Bethune-Cookman in receptions (39) and receiving yards (788). He ended the campaign with a team-high matching six touchdown receptions, and finished ninth in the league for receptions per game (3.5). He was second in receiving yards per game (71.6), and ended 46th in the FCS for total receiving yards.

Bladek, a redshirt junior offensive tackle, was a preseason all-conference selection, and earns his first postseason award. Bladek helped pave the way for the Wildcats to lead the MEAC in several statistical categories, including scoring offense (31.4 avg/g), total offense (445.0 avg/g), rushing offense (191.8 yds./g), pass offense (253.2 avg/g), and pass efficiency (164.1 effic.). He also blocked for quarterback Quentin Williams to earn three MEAC Offensive Player of the Week awards throughout the campaign.

On defense, redshirt senior linebacker Robert Way led the Wildcats with 70 tackles, adding a team-high 11 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also broke up a team-best eight passes from his outside linebacker position, going on to recover two fumbles and force another.

Joining him on the first team for defense was redshirt senior strong safety Marquis Drayton. The Ft. Lauderdale, Florida native amassed 37 tackles on the season, including 21 primary stops. He stepped in front of three passes for interceptions, taking one back 30 yards for a touchdown against Morgan State in the year’s final home game. His three interceptions allowed him to end the year tied for third in the league in that category. He would also finish the year second in the MEAC for kick return yards, averaging 23.4 yards per return.

Representing the Cats on the All-MEAC Second Team was running back Anthony Jordan (Atlanta, Ga.), tight end Ja-Quan Lumas (Orlando, Fla.) and linebacker Donald Smith (Tampa, Fla.). On the third team was running back Michael D. Jones (Sarasota, Fla.) and junior punter Jonathan Cagle (Pensacola, Fla.).

North Carolina A&T running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the MEAC Offensive Player of the Year. Javon Hargrave of South Carolina State took the Defensive Player of the Year award. Both student-athletes received the top honors just one year ago. North Carolina Central’s Dorrel McClain earned Rookie of the Year honors and North Carolina A&T State’s Brandon Parker was selected as the Offensive Lineman of the Year, as voted on by the MEAC’s head football coaches and sports information directors.

For a complete list of this year’s All-MEAC Team members, please visit MEACsports.com.

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COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS