NORFOLK, Virginia -- If the MEAC race was a single elimination bracket, this weekend begins the tournament as the right to remain in the championship hunt is on the line with several pivotal games. With Florida A&M claiming sole possession of first place, everyone is fighting to chase the undefeated Rattlers as the league features five, one-loss teams entering this weekend’s contests.
Delaware State at South Carolina State*
|
1:30 p.m.
| |
North Carolina Central at Norfolk State*
|
2 p.m.
| |
North Carolina A&T State at Bethune-Cookman*
|
4 p.m.
| |
Howard at Morgan State*
|
7 p.m.
|
• Based on the past two years, just one loss damages a team’s chances at a MEAC Championship as the 2017 and 2016 champions both finished undefeated. In 2015, three teams with one loss shared the title while five teams with two losses in 2014 were crowned co-champions. There are five, one loss teams now with FAMU the only undefeated team remaining.
• North Carolina A&T State was picked to defend its MEAC Football Championship as the Aggies received 19 first-place votes and was a unanimous choice to defend their MEAC Championship and represent the league in the annual Celebration Bowl on Dec. 15 in Atlanta, Ga. The Aggies have not won consecutive MEAC Championships since the 1991 and 1992 campaigns. Howard University was predicted to place second in head coach Mike London’s second season followed by N.C. Central in third place and Bethune-Cookman in fourth. Florida A&M was picked fifth followed by Norfolk State, South Carolina State, Savannah State, Morgan State and Delaware State.
•Name tags will be needed this season as five MEAC teams feature new head coaches. Delaware State, Florida A&M, Morgan State, N.C. A&T State and N.C. Central will have new leaders. Both head coaches at Morgan State and NCCU coaches have the interim tag attached.
• The MEAC’s streak of FBS wins continues for the third straight year after North Carolina A&T State’s win over East Carolina on Sept. 2. The MEAC picked up two FBS wins last season (2017) as North Carolina A&T State defeated Charlotte (Conference USA) while Howard defeated UNLV. The 2016 North Carolina A&T State win over Kent State was the Aggies’ first FBS win in school history and the first MEAC FBS win since Bethune-Cookman defeated C-USA’s Florida International 14-12 in 2014.
• North Carolina A&T State remains the lone MEAC team ranked amongst FCS teams. The Aggies are now ranked No. 18 in the STATS FCS and 19th in the latest FCS Coaches polls.
•North Carolina A&T State University quarterback Lamar Raynard was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while N.C. Central defensive back Davanta Reynolds was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
• Last year’s MEAC Champions, North Carolina A&T State, finished the 2017 season with their highest national ranking ever as they finished No. 6 in the NCAA FCS Coaches Poll. They entered the 2018 season with their highest national preseason ranking ever with voters ranking the Aggies preseason No. 14 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. However, the Aggies will feature a new look as head coach Sam Washington takes over for the retired Rod Broadway. Washington was formerly N.C. A&T’s defensive coordinator.
• History suggests a team has to win its conference opener in order to chart its path to the MEAC Championship. The last championship team which opened with a league loss was Bethune-Cookman in 2015 as they fell to N.C. Central. North Carolina A&T State, BCU and NCCU all tied for a share of the title in 2015.
• The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced a partnership with the MEAC to reveal the league’s offensive and defensive players of the year as part of the festivities surrounding the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 4 at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. This marks the third consecutive year the players will be honored in New York.
• The 14th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge saw North Carolina Central fall to Prairie View A&M on Sunday, Sept. 2. The SWAC holds a two-game winning streak for the first time in series history.
• The winner of the MEAC’s regular season title will earn a bid to the 4th annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, Ga. on Dec. 15 at Mercedes Benz Stadium. The bowl, which pits the MEAC Champion versus the SWAC Champion, is the only FCS league to host a bowl game as the MEAC leads the series 2-1.
By Ryan McGinty, Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations
MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS
No comments:
Post a Comment