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DAYTONA BEACH, Florida --The Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats have had at least a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship for the past four years; they are looking to extend that streak in 2016.
The Wildcats are now expected to compete for a conference title every season. “The bar has been set high, and we want to continue to reset it and succeed,” coach Terry Sims said. “It’s a pressure game, and you want to be able to react to pressure in a positive way.”
Sims was named MEAC Coach of the Year in 2015 in his first season as head coach of B-CU. He had spent the previous five seasons as an assistant coach with the team and said being a head coach for the first time was “a little bit challenging, but I was up for the challenge.”
B-CU is replacing quarterback Quentin Williams, who graduated. The Wildcats led the conference in passing offense last season. CONTINUE READING
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ORLANDO, Florida -- More than 1.7 million fans have taken part in the Florida Classic during its 90-year history.
The neutral-site game, which features a matchup between two Historically Black Colleges and Universities, has been a part of the college football landscape since 1925. The game has been played at Daytona International Speedway and Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, but it moved to the Citrus Bowl in 1997.
This year's game featured an announced crowd of 45,728 fans despite a dreary day in Central Florida. It was the largest announced crowd since 2011 (60,218) and a good 4,000 fans more than last year's tally of 41,126. That game was the first one played in the Citrus Bowl while it was going through $207 million worth of renovations.
Rain showers moved into the area just after kickoff and quickly transformed into a downpour in the middle of the second quarter, sending spectators searching for cover on the concourse at the Citrus Bowl. Many of those fans returned to their seats by halftime to catch the impressive band performances.
ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN VIDEOGRAPHER: ShowtimeWeb Bethune-Cookman quarterback Quentin Williams earned Most Valuable Player honors for the winning team following his performance Saturday night. Running back Devin Bowers earned MVP honors in a losing effort for Florida A&M.
In the SWAC: The Jaguars are Back! Southern Jaguars vs Alcorn Braves Saturday, 5:00 P.M. EST/ESPN3
Jackson State Tigers vs Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions Saturday, 7:00 P.M. EST/SWAC TV Championship teams are built around great defense. Great defense comes from having the right players on the field and a defensive specialist as coordinator. The Jaguars bend, but don’t break defense has been consistent all year. Last week they out coached and out played the charging FAMU Rattlers, who against other teams had been moving the ball up and down the field almost at will. Forget that FAMU didn’t play with the energy desired by its coaches and fans. They are supposed to be a good team and the Jaguars beat them. Should the Southern Jaguars and UAPB Lions keep winning, it will make for a very interesting game between the two on October 20. But first, the Jaguars will have to defeat the Alcorn braves and the UAPB Lions will have to overcome the Jackson State Tigers. Of the two, UAPB should have the toughest time. Alcorn has only won one game and is in a “start from scratch”, rebuild mode. Jackson State has been up and down, capable of beating anybody on a given day. Never mind its loss at the hands of undefeated Tennessee State, who has beaten some potentially great teams. The UAPB Lions have gotten off to a great start this season. UAPB will have to decide whether this will be the year or if it becomes another “wait until next year” season.
North Carolina A&T Aggies vs Bethune Cookman Wildcats
Saturday, 4:00 P.M. EST
If I were a North Carolina A&T Aggie I’d be pretty upset right now. Last year the Aggies nearly ruined the Bethune Cookman Wildcats’ season winning 22-3 (the wildcats did beat their rival, the FAMU Rattlers, so all was not lost). So, what do the Wildcats do? This year they schedule the Aggies as their homecoming opponent. Expect the Aggies to use the same strategy as last year. Stop the run and make the Wildcats do what they haven’t done well in recent years, complete passes. Last year the Wildcats had a total of 108 yards for the game, gaining only 5 net yards running. The Wildcats are trying to get Mr. Football, Quentin Williams, on the field and into the starting lineup. The hope has got to be that by gaining experience his talents will take over by the end of the season and maybe even further into the playoffs. At this point the Aggies don’t have the talent or status of the Wildcats. What the Aggies do have is the Wildcats’ number. The Aggies are supposed to be the underdogs. It is homecoming, so the Wildcats had better make sure they are.
Florida A&M Rattlers vs Howard Bisons
Saturday, 1:00 P.M. EST
Did you know that the FAMU Rattlers has 41 freshmen and redshirt freshmen on their roster, many of whom are playing? Some are even starters. They are a talented group and that means a brighter future for the Rattlers. In the meantime, in a game that is in a tie with the Delaware State vs Norfolk State game for most intriguing game of the week, the FAMU Ratters vs Howard Bison game will tell fans where each of these teams stand. According to Joe Taylor the difference in last week’s loss was the Rattlers’ lack of energy and timely mistakes. We can’t predict the number of turnovers, but it would be a good guess that after the embarrassing homecoming lost to Howard last year the Ratters will be fired up and looking to play a complete game. Years ago the Buffalo Bills of the NFL adopted the Bison logo and copyrighted it as their own. The Bisons still get to use it, but they just can’t own it. The Rattlers intend on owning the Bisons on Saturday and I don’t mean the logo.
Delaware State Hornets vs Norfolk State Spartans
Saturday, 4:00 P.M. EST
Talking about the Hornets versus the Spartans, this game is a ...
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman’s FCS playoff run didn’t last long, as Coastal Carolina won
24-14 in the first round on Saturday.
Although the Wildcats (9-3) would
like to still be playing, they should be in good shape to defend their MEAC
championship next season and make another trip back to the FCS playoffs.
B-CU head coach Brian Jenkins, the MEAC Coach of the Year, has a number
of key players returning in 2013, including star running back Isidore Jackson and quarterback Quentin Williams.
Up front, B-CU is
led by offensive lineman Terrance Hackney who does a magnificent job
of opening holes for the running game and pass protecting. The 6-foot-6,
310-pound sophomore has great strength and can really move his feet.
Defensively, the Wildcats could be even stronger. LeBrandon Richardson is a great pass-rushing
defensive end. Richardson recorded 8.5 sacks this season and also had 53 total
tackles, including 31 solo.
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — Bethune-Cookman receiver Eddie Poole has played football for Brian Jenkins for five years, including one season at Rutgers. And by now he knows very well that the coach is never satisfied, even when his team is leading by more than four touchdowns at halftime.
“Today he actually behaved himself,” Poole said of B-CU’s head coach. “But at halftime we got threatened that if we didn’t start playing Wildcat football we’d have to practice (after the game).”
B-CU played Wildcats football — making big plays on offense, defense and special teams — and trounced NCAA Division II Virginia Union 66-7 in its home opener Saturday at Municipal Stadium.
A crowd of 6,478 saw the Wildcats (2-0) surpass 65 points for the first time in three years. B-CU scored on 10 of 13 possessions, including two touchdowns on interception returns, blocked a punt and piled up 464 yards of offense.
Jackie Wilson, Quentin Williams and Brock Waters all saw time at quarterback for the Wildcats and they all threw a touchdown pass.
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Facing South Carolina State always seems to bring out the boxer analogies from Brian Jenkins.
The Bethune-Cookman head football coach has likened the matchups during his three seasons at the helm to a “heavyweight” fight. During Tuesday’s Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference teleconference in discussing the latest clash this Saturday at Municipal Stadium, Jenkins sounded like he was ready to don the proverbial “gloves” again.
“It’s going to be a heavyweight fight,” he said. “You’ve got a good South Carolina State team that’s very aggressive on both sides of the ball. (S.C. State head football coach) Buddy Pough has that team playing at a high level. They’re a very attack-style team. I just hope we’ll be able to compete with them.
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“They’ve got a star-studded defense that runs around and they’re fast. Offensively, the quarterback (Richard Cue) is playing lights out and a physical, brutal offensive line. Running backs that are just tenacious runners. I just hope we can match up with them and see if we belong on the field with them.”
Bethune-Cookman has managed to buck conventional wisdom in thriving offensively with three starting quarterbacks. The 3 Ws (Jackie Wilson, Quentin Williams and Brodrick Waters) have combined to throw for more than 1,000 yards and six touchdowns and are used interchangeably depending on the flow of the game.
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- There is little doubt Bethune-Cookman has its deepest team in Brian Jenkins’ five seasons as head coach.
On Saturday, it proved it.
B-CU emptied its bench while rolling up 543 yards of offense in a 48-20 rout at Savannah State.
The 16th-ranked Wildcats didn’t even play starting quarterback Quentin Williams or leading rusher Anthony Jordan.
Redshirt freshman Larry Brihm started under center and passed for 222 yards and three touchdowns, adding 33 yards and a score on the ground before leaving after the first drive of the third quarter.
Reserve running back Danny Dillard led a powerful running game (289 yards) with 87 yards and a score. And the defense held the Tigers to 202 total yards and forced five turnovers, including two interceptions by Thomas Finnie and one by Jameson Wright.
Bethune-Cookman University Head Coach Brian Jenkins
Following what his coach characterized as a disastrous flirtation with the University of New Mexico, Spoto three-way star Nick Addison has reaffirmed his commitment to Bethune-Cookman.
Spartans coach Dale Caparaso confirmed Addison's re-commitment Thursday. Addison, who committed to B-CU last fall, re-opened his recruitment and visited New Mexico last weekend, but Caparaso said the Lobos rescinded their offer after Addison and his mother made the cross-country flight to Albuquerque.
"They brought him out there and knew they were going to pull the scholarship," Caparaso said in a text message to the Times. "New Mexico paid for his trip. His mother paid for her trip. Pretty poor way of doing business. We all were shocked."
Dominic “Nic” Addison, arguably the most athletically gifted player in Hillsborough County prep football will play for Bethune-Cookman University next fall. He informed me that he will head to Daytona Beach this weekend for a face-to-face visit with Wildcat head coach Brian Jenkins where he will confirm his commitment to them. The 6’3” 180-pound dual threat Spoto High senior can do it all on the gridiron. He completed 24 TD passes as the Spartan QB last season but will be a shutdown cornerback, the position he prefers, at BCU. He ended his high school career with seven interceptions, including one plus a fumble recovery versus state power Plant, but most teams did not dare throw in his direction.
Spoto two-way football standout Nick Addison, who committed to Division I-AA Bethune-Cookman just before Thanksgiving, is apparently opening up his recruiting again.
Addison, a Times' all-Suncoast first-team selection, said Friday evening that he is planning an official visit to New Mexico on Jan. 21. It is his only scheduled official visit. He said the Lobos are recruiting him as an athlete, so he might play cornerback or even wide receiver at New Mexico.
The 6-foot-3 senior emerged as a lockdown cornerback last season, but thrived this fall as Spoto's starting quarterback, throwing for 2,410 and 24 touchdowns, second-most in the bay area to Jefferson quarterback Florida Mr. Football Quentin Williams, who has committed to Bethune-Cookman.
Ole Miss, Washington State and Iowa State have offered Addison scholarships and are recruiting him at cornerback.
RIVERVIEW, FL - Spoto senior Nick Addison is the type of player that can change the outcome of a football game, on both sides of the field. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he can throw, run, catch, defend and dish out punishing hits. Too bad Spoto can't clone more of him. In his last three games, he's put on quite a show.
In Friday's season opener against Wharton, a 37-10 victory, Addison finished the night with 300 total yards and five touchdowns. He threw for 239 passing yards with four touchdowns on plays of 4, 77, 9 and 35 yards and rushed for 61 yards with a touchdown.
RIVERVIEW, FL — Given Nick Addison’s ability to light up the scoreboard at quarterback, shut down opposing receivers at cornerback, and return kickoffs and punts, Spoto coach Dale Caparaso was already convinced his do-it-all senior could fill any need the Spartans had.
But last Thursday, while Spoto was going through its usual walkthrough on the field, Addison managed to again leave his coach bewildered. Rather than stand back and watch the second-team offense, the senior grabbed a ball, holder and center, went to the other side of the field and started nailing 40-yard field goals.
“Son, why didn’t you tell us you could do this?” Caparaso asked. “Coach,” Addison responded, “you didn’t ask.”
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- It's always nice to have a wide receiver who can make the big catch when the game is on the line. Bethune-Cookman redshirt sophomore Jawill Davis did just that Saturday to help the Wildcats edge host Grambling State in a high-scoring affair, 56-53, in Grambling, Louisiana, the final MEAC and SWAC matchup before the inaugural Celebration Bowl in December.
The 5-foot-11, 177-pound Davis earned ESPN.com HBCU Player of the Week honors against the Tigers, posting a career-best eight receptions for a career-high 199 yards and two touchdowns in Bethune-Cookman's late rally.
Moments after Davis' first career TD reception of 29 yards, with 3:37 remaining, the Wildcats were down 46-41. B-CU quarterback Quentin Williams (17-for-22, 244 yards, 3 TDs) threw a 28-yard pass to Davis for the score that shifted the momentum.
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman quarterback Larry Brihm stood on the South Carolina State sideline a week ago and watched his team lose its first conference game of the season.
This past week, the coaches told the redshirt freshman to be ready, his time was coming.
It came midway through the first quarter Saturday.
Brihm replaced starter Quentin Williams after two possessions and went on to lead the Wildcats to a 34-20 victory against North Carolina Central before a sparse crowd of 3,661 on a blustery day at Municipal Stadium.
Anthony Jordan, who sat out the past two games because of off-the-field issues, scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Wildcats rallied from a 20-13 deficit.
ABOUT THE GAME WHERE: Ormond Beach Sports Complex WHEN: Today, 4 p.m. ADMISSION: $5 ($1 students with ID); parking
1. Quarterbacks
This could be the last chance for Jackie Wilson or David Blackwell to get a leg up heading into summer drills in the battle to replace 2010 MEAC player of the year Matt Johnson. Head coach Brian Jenkins calls the two QBs mirror images of each other. Will Wilson have an advantage playing with the maroon squad and the first-team O-line? In the summer, the position battle could heat up even more when freshman Quentin Williams, Florida's Mr. Football winner, arrives.
2. Running backs
This could be a chance for someone to break out of a crowded pack. Three of last season's top four rushers (excluding quarterbacks) return: Isidore Jackson (514 yards, 4.4 yards per carry, eight TDs), Johnathan Moment (257 yards, 4.4 ypc, three TDs) and Andronicus Lovette (261 yards, 6.7 ypc, six TDs). Throw into the mix...
Videographer: madie1898; BCU Symphonic Band, Spring Concert 2011, "Someone"
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. –- What was the difference between the Bethune-Cookman University football team’s spring game player draft and those drafts you’re accustomed to watching on television? Well, Mel Kiper Jr. would have been completely clueless for one thing.
Part actual draft, part brokering session and part deal-making that you expect to find in smoke-filled rooms – in this case, without the smoke – as the evening progressed, the Wildcats gathered Thursday night in the football coaches office and labored until the wee hours of the morning hammering out the line-ups for Saturday’s game at Ormond Beach Sports Complex.
There were players practicing to be agents and the ever-looming threat of a “blockbuster trade” at the 11th hour, but the most important thing for B-CU Head Coach Brian Jenkins was seeing a lot of enthusiasm and camaraderie among the coaching staff and players.
HAMPTON, Virginia - While quarterback Quentin Williams was making the first start of his college career, another redshirt freshman from the Tampa area had his coming-out party for Bethune-Cookman on Saturday night.
Nick Addison intercepted two passes -- returning one 90 yards for a touchdown -- and B-CU forced seven Hampton turnovers as the Wildcats held off the Pirates for a 38-26 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory in Hampton, Va.
“Nick has been in place to make those kind of plays the last few weeks,'' B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said. “We told him if he sees it to pull the trigger. He did his job tonight and was able to make the play.''
B-CU, which ended a two-game losing streak, improved to 3-2, 2-0 in the MEAC. The Wildcats will host North Carolina A&T in their homecoming game at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Pirates (0-4, 0-2) rolled up 536 yards on offense but could not overcome four interceptions and three lost fumbles.
ORLANDO, Florida -- e only one who could stop Bethune-Cookman Saturday, it seems, was Mother Nature.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 21-7 lead over Florida A&M in the first half and looked to be on their way to a blowout victory in this year's Florida Classic, but torrential rain showers at Orlando's Citrus Bowl sent B-CU's offense sputtering for a bit.
But it didn't last long as Quentin Williams combined for 304 total yards of offense and four total touchdowns to lead No. 22 B-CU (9-2, 7-1 MEAC) to a 35-14 win over FAMU (1-10, 1-7) to take this year's Classic crown.
It was the most points scored by a Wildcats team since 2008 and the largest margin of victory in the series since 2009.
Now the Wildcats hope the Football Championship Subdivision playoff selection committee members are impressed. While an outright conference championship was out of the question, the team did earn a piece of the MEAC title along with North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T.
Bethune-Cookman is trying secure an at-large bid and become one of 24 teams to qualify for the FCS playoffs. The committee will reveal its decision Sunday. CONTINUE READING
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- There will be plenty to keep an eye on when the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats step on the field today for their first spring practice.
It will be Terry Sims’ first practice after replacing Brian Jenkins, who left for Alabama State in December, as the team’s head coach.
And it’s the beginning of a trek that could lead, provided B-CU can win the MEAC, to the newly created Celebration Bowl on Dec. 19 in Atlanta.
Here are a few story lines to watch as practice begins:
1. Eyes on the QBs
It will be interesting to see how Sims handles the quarterback position. Quentin Williams returns for his final season after passing for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns last season, but Larry Brihm, an athletic player who will be a redshirt sophomore, came on late last year and passed for 491 yards and four touchdowns.
GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Bethune-Cookman, which was held scoreless until the 7-minute mark of the second quarter, rallied to win 56-53 at Grambling State on Saturday.
The Wildcats (1-1) scored two late touchdowns in a span of 1:44 as Terry Sims earned his first victory as B-CU coach. Grambling State dropped to 0-2.
“We told the team it was going to be a heavyweight fight,’’ Sims said. “We came out swinging. I’m proud of these guys. I’m more excited for our team about our first win.
“Both teams had some young players. We had some mistakes, and some penalties. … The wide receivers did what we’ve been looking for them to do all year.”
Quentin Williams threw for three fourth-quarter touchdowns for the Wildcats.
Running back Anthony Jordan’s 41-yard touchdown put B-CU up 56-46 with 1:48 to play.
NORFOLK, Virginia – North Carolina A&T State running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced today. North Carolina Central safetyC.J. Moore was named Defensive Player of the Week.
N.C. Central’s Dorrell McClain earned Rookie of the Week honors while teammate Carl Jones was named Offensive Lineman of the Week. North Carolina A&T State’s Khris Gardinwas named Special Teams Players of the Week.
Cohen (RB, 5-6, 173, Jr., Bunn, N.C.) scored 3 TDs as he rushed for 107 yards on 22 carries in the Aggies 45-31 win over Hampton. Also, he caught two passes for 15 yards to help the Aggies record their first conference victory of the season.
Moore (SS, 6-2, 200, r-Sr., Raleigh, N.C.) amassed a team-high 11 tackles, nine solo, including 2.0 hits for a loss of five yards. Also, he accounted for two interceptions in the Eagles’ two-point loss to Bethune-Cookman.
McClain (RB, 5-10, 190, r-Fr., Cary, N.C.) rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries against Bethune-Cookman. Also, he returned three kickoffs for 59 yards to finish the contest with 203 all-purpose yards.
Jones (C, 6-2, 285, r-Jr., Nashville, Tenn.) graded out at 95-percent of his assignments with eight pancake blocks that paved the way for 502 yards of total offense, including 324 yards-rushing, against Bethune-Cookman. The ground yardage was the best rushing output in 11 years for N.C. Central.
Garden (PR, 5-8, 157, So., Morganton, N.C.) returned four punts for 203 yards (50.8 avg) including a 71-yarder for a touchdown. He finished the game with returns of 42, 45, 45, and 71 yards out falling one-punt short of competing for the NCAA’s single-game punt return average.
Other Top Performers Kyle Archie (NSU) notched career highs in total tackles (10) and tackles for loss (3.5) in a 15-12 win over Howard. John Fleck (HOW) averaged 40.1 yards, on seven punts, including a 65-yarder, and nailed a 40-yard field goal against Norfolk State. Sean Fogarty (SSU) received a grade of 90-percent with three pancake blocks as the Tigers amassed 300 total offensive yards against Florida A&M. Greg Hankerson (NSU) completed 24-of-36 passes for 294 yards, with two touchdowns, in a win against Howard. Malik Harris (DSU) collected 12 tackles, nine solo, with four for a loss of six yards, including one breakup and one recovered fumble against Morgan State. Trevin Huff (B-CU) shouldered the Wildcats’ offensive line and graded out at 91-percent of his assignments, with one pancake block, against N.C. Central. Craig Johnson (HOW) recorded eight tackles, six solo, with 5.0 for a loss of 51 yards and 2.0 sacks. Darius Johnson (MSU) posted his first career interception in the Bears’ win over Delaware State. Orlando Johnson (MSU) carried the ball a career-high 21 times en route to a game- and career-high 124 yards and one TD run against Delaware State. Elliott Miller (B-CU) recorded the game-winning field goal block against North Carolina Central to preserve the Wildcats’ road win. Chris Moller (MSU) averaged 40.8 yards per punt, including a career-high 63-yarder, and 53.3 yards per kickoff. He also nailed a pair of field goals of 26 and 23-yards out. Twarn Mixon (HAM) caught five passes for 136 yards with one touchdown and completed one pass for a 19-yard touchdown against North Carolina A&T State. Donnell Pleasant (HOW) rushed for a game-high 87 yards on a career-best 29 carries and his first career touchdown against Norfolk State. Arshon Spaulding (SSU) registered 91 yards on the 15 carries with one touchdown and connected on 8-of-12 passes for 83 yards to snap a 24-game losing skid against Florida A&M. Donald Smith (B-CU) tallied a game-high 13 tackles, four solo, with two breakups against N.C. Central. Marquis Smith (SSU) racked up 10 tackles, five solo, with two for a loss of 14 yards. Damare Whitaker (MSU) collected seven tackles with one for a loss and one sack, including two breakups, against Delaware State. John Wilson (SSU) finished with nine tackles, including three for a loss of six yards, and one breakup against Florida A&M. Ker-Sean Wilson (SSU) finished with 130 yards of kickoff return yardage including an 88-yarder that was returned for a touchdown against Florida A&M. Quentin Williams (B-CU) completed 13-of-18 passes (72-percent) for 248 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for 76 yards on 14 attempts in a 28-26 win over North Carolina Central. Dominique Woods (MSU) graded at 91-percent with three pancake blocks in the Bear’s win over Delaware State. COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Howard quarterback Greg McGhee and North Carolina A&T Staterunning back Tarik Cohen were selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Co-Offensive Players of the Year and Javon Hargrave of South Carolina State earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, as voted on by the MEAC’s head football coaches and sports information directors.
South Carolina State’s Darius Leonard earned the Rookie of the Year award and Morgan State’s Darren Pinnock was selected as Offensive Lineman of the Year.
First-year head coach Lee Hull of Morgan State was selected as the Coach of the Year. Hull guided the Bears to a share of the MEAC title, the first MEAC football title for the institution. Under his leadership, the Bears finished 7-5 overall and 6-2 in conference play. The Bears defeated Savannah State 69-7 in their final game of the season to secure the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Championships.
Howard senior Greg McGhee became the conference’s all-time leader in total offensive yards (10,168 yards) after capping his four-year career as the Bison quarterback. As a senior, he led the MEAC in total offense (3,235 yards), 21st in the FCS, and passing yards (2,388). He completed 56-percent of his passes (222-for-399) with 15 touchdowns, ranking 28th in the nation, and threw only eight interceptions, in 12 games. He ranks fourth in the MEAC in rushing yards (847) and averaged a team-best 70.6 yards per game.
McGhee led the team’s rushing output with 164 carries and posted 13 touchdowns.
Sophomore Tarik Cohen of North Carolina A&T State led the MEAC in rushing and recorded his second straight 1,000 yard season with 1,340 total yards to help the Aggies to a share of the conference title. He led the MEAC with 121.8 rushing yards per game, carrying the ball 197 times with 15 touchdowns in 11 games. He led the MEAC in scoring (96 points) and touchdowns (16) and finished second in all-purpose yardage (143.4 avg./g.). He has earned the Sports Networks’ Player of the Week honor once and received the conference’s offensive player of the week nod twice this season.
South Carolina State’s Javon Hargrave led the MEAC and ranks third in the nation in sacks with 16 for a loss of 199 yards and ranks fourth in the FCS in tackles for loss with 23.5. He finished the season recording 55 total tackles, three forced fumbles, one recovered fumble (61 yards), eight quarterback hurries and two breakups. He is listed on the Sports Networks’ Buck Buchanan Award List and has earned national and conference Defensive Player of the Week honors after tying a conference and FCS-best record of six sacks in a single game in a win over ranked Bethune-Cookman.
As a freshman, South Carolina State’s Darius Leonard led the MEAC and ranked 30th in the nation in solo tackles (73). He tallied 88 total tackles (9th in MEAC) and ranked t-11th in the conference in tackles for loss with 13.5. He garnered the MEAC’s Defensive Player of the Week honors once and Rookie of the Week honors twice this season. Leonard is currently listed on the Sports Networks’ Jerry Rice Award list.
Morgan State’s Darren Pinnock started in every game this season for the Bears. He paved the way for the MEAC’s second best rushing offense (211.3 avg.; No. 24 in FCS) and second top scoring offense (28.2 avg./g). He did not allow a single sack through 11 games and helped the lead the Bears to sacks allowed (15). He shouldered the offensive line that helped account for 4,464 total offensive yards including 2,536 on the ground. He earned two conference Offensive Lineman of the Week honors this season.
North Carolina Central led with 12 student-athletes to be recognized to the three MEAC post-season teams. North Carolina A&T State and South Carolina State each finished with 11 and Norfolk State followed closely behind with. The N.C. A&T State Aggies received the most first-team honors with seven student-athletes.
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) - 2014 Football All-Conference Teams Co-Offensive Players of the Year: Tarik Cohen, North Carolina A&T State and Greg McGhee, Howard Defensive Player of the Year: Javon Hargrave, South Carolina State Offensive Lineman of the Year: Darren Pinnock, Morgan State Rookie of the Year: Darius Leonard, South Carolina State Coach of the Year: Lee Hull, Morgan State First Team Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown QB Greg McGhee Sr. Howard Pittsburgh, Pa. RB Tarik Cohen So. North Carolina A&T State Bunn, N.C. RB Herb Walker Jr. So. Morgan State Cleveland, Ohio WR Adrian Wilkins r-Jr. North Carolina Central Forest City, N.C. WR Twarn Mixon r-So. Hampton Charlotte, N.C. TE Tammarrick Hemmingway r-Jr. South Carolina State Loris, S.C. C Ronald Canty r-Sr. North Carolina A&T State Chester, S.C. OL William Ray Robinson III r-Sr. North Carolina A&T State Clinton, Md. OL Darren Pinnock Sr. Morgan State Miami, Fla. OL Devin Flowers Sr. South Carolina State Charlotte, N.C. OL Clevonne Davis Jr. North Carolina Central Miramar, Fla. DEFENSE Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown DL Javon Hargrave Jr. South Carolina State Salisbury, N.C. DL Deon King Jr. Norfolk State Reston, Va. DL George Riddick Sr. Norfolk State Suffolk, Va. DL LeBranden Richardson Sr. Bethune-Cookman Miami, Fla. LB Lynden Trail r-Sr. Norfolk State Miami, Fla. LB D’Vonte Grant Sr. North Carolina A&T State Charlotte, N.C. *LB Cody Acker Sr. Morgan State Landover, Md. *LB Ralph Williams Sr. Bethune-Cookman Miami, Fla. DB Tony McRae Sr. North Carolina A&T State Laurinburg, N.C. DB Donald Mattocks r-Sr. North Carolina A&T State Burlington, N.C. DB Michael Jones So. North Carolina Central Baltimore, Md. DB Keenan Lambert r-Sr. Norfolk State Norfolk, Va. P Christian Kinney R-So. Hampton Williamsburg, Va. PK Cody Jones So. North Carolina A&T State Gastonia, N.C. RS Michael Jones So. North Carolina Central Baltimore, Md. Second Team Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown *QB Malcolm Bell r-So. North Carolina Central Richmond, Va. *QB Damien Fleming Sr. Florida A&M Jacksonville, Fla. RB Jorrian Washington Sr. Hampton Los Angeles, Calif. RB Andre Clark r-Sr. North Carolina Central Mauldin, S.C. WR Isaac White Jr. Norfolk State Portsmouth, Va. WR Quentin Atkinson Jr. North Carolina Central Raleigh, N.C. TE Myles Williams r-Jr. Howard Perris, Calif. C Clarence Swain r-Sr. Morgan State Fayetteville, Ga. OL Christopher Pressley Sr. North Carolina Central Upper Marlboro, Md. OL Toree Boyd So. Howard Miami, Fla. OL Domanic Wilson r-Sr. South Carolina State Lake City, S.C. OL Kory Alpichi Sr. Hampton Winchester, Calif. DEFENSE Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown DL Christopher Robinson r-Sr. Morgan State Baltimore, Md. DL Marquis Ragland r-So. North Carolina A&T State Fayetteville, N.C. DL Rodney Gunter Sr. Delaware State Lake Hamilton, Fla. *DL Ty Brown r-Sr. North Carolina Central Charlotte, N.C. *DL Felix Small Sr. North Carolina Central Brooklyn, N.Y. LB Tavarus Dantzler Sr. Bethune-Cookman Homestead, Fla. LB Josh Thorne Jr. Hampton Oxon Hill, Md. LB Darius Leonard r-Fr. South Carolina Lakeview, S.C. DB Antonio Hamilton r-Jr. South Carolina State Johnston, S.C. DB C.J. Moore Sr. North Carolina Central Raleigh, N.C. DB Paul Eatman Jr. Sr. Morgan State Jersey City, N.J.DB Chris Pauling Jr. South Carolina State High Point, N.C. P Lawrence Forbes r-So. Morgan State Upper Marlboro, Md. PK Chase Varnadore r-Sr. Florida A&M Tallahassee, Fla. RS Tony McRae Jr. North Carolina A&T State Laurinburg, N.C. RS Antonio Hamilton r-Jr. South Carolina State Johnston, S.C. Third Team Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown QB Kwashaun Quick Jr. North Carolina A&T State Laurinburg, N.C. RB Jalen Simmons Jr. South Carolina State Charlotte, N.C. RB William Parker Jr. Howard Stone Mountain, Ga. WR Milton Williams III Sr. Delaware State Washington, D.C. WR Desmond Lawrence Sr. North Carolina A&T State Durham, N.C. TE Jvon Simmons Fr. North Carolina Central LaPlata, Md. C Andrew Edouard Sr. Bethune-Cookman Philadelphia, Pa. OL Ronald Rose Sr. Hampton Fort Washington, Md. OL Brandon Parker r-Fr. North Carolina A&T State Kannapolis, N.C. OL Justin Myler r-Sr. Norfolk State Woodbridge, Va. OL Malcolm Rutledge Sr. Howard Detroit, Mi. DEFENSE Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown DL Curtis Hill r-Sr. South Carolina State Columbia, S.C. DL Miles Groom Jr. Hampton Richmond, Va. DL Rony Barrow Sr. Bethune-Cookman Brooklyn, N.Y. DL Erik Williams Grad Bethune-Cookman Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. LB Devin Rollins Jr. Howard Miami, Fla. LB Marcell Coke Sr. Norfolk State Orlando, Fla. LB Akil Blount Jr. Florida A&M Pittsburgh, Pa. DB Darrin Marrow r-Sr. Norfolk State Virginia Beach, Va. DB Terriick Colston Jr. Delaware State Lakeland, Fla. DB Devonte Johnson Jr. Florida A&M Tallahassee, Fla. DB Dalonte Hall Jr. Morgan State Fort Washington, Md. *P Dylan Shaddix r-Sr. Norfolk State McDonough, Ga. *P Colby Blanton r-So. Florida A&M Jacksonville, Fla. PK Cameron Marouf So. Norfolk State Woodbridge, Va. RS Antonio Hamilton r-Jr. South Carolina State Johnston, S.C. *Indicates Tie COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS
North Carolina native Broadway, served 22 years as a Division I, FBS defensive assistant coach, mostly under Steve Spurrier at Florida and Duke. He also coached at East Carolina and North Carolina. His resume includes: a Division I-A National Championship (1996) at Florida; CIAA Championships (2005, 2006) as head coach at N.C. Central; CIAA Coach of the Year Award (2006); and 2006 AFCA National Coach of the Year (Division II) award.
Not bad for a former defensive lineman, that played his college ball at North Carolina and spent his entire career coaching the defensive line. At Grambling State, Broadway compiled a record of 35-14 and won the SWAC Championship in his second season (2008) as head coach of the Tigers.
Frazier has served as the head football coach at his alma mater, Bowie State University (1999–2003) and at Prairie View A&M University (2004-2010). The former CIAA quarterback was able to lead PVAMU to a 43–30 record, including the 2009 SWAC Championship. Coach Frazier was recognized for his total body of work in resurrecting the Panthers program and was honored with the Eddie Robinson Award in 2009. This award is given annually to college football's top head coach in the Division I, Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA). Upon his resignation at Prairie View A&M in December 2010 to take the NCCU job, Frazier was the second winningest coach in Prairie View A&M football history.
Coach Kermit Blount has gained the reputation over the years as a builder of men. Blount has served in his career as an offensive coordinator (1984-89) under College Football Hall of Fame Coach Willie Jefferies at Howard University and South Carolina State University. Blount won a MEAC championship in 1987, before returning to his alma mater, Winston Salem State University, as the head coach (1993).
He won two CIAA championships (1999, 2000) and improved the WSSU players' graduation rate from 42% in 1993 to 80% by 2009.
Both Gary Harrell and Steve Davenport are first time head coaches, but each has assembled a coaching staff that is ready to compete. Let's not forget the success of Bethune-Cookman's Coach Brian Jenkins that lead the Wildcats to a portion of the MEAC Championship and the FCS Playoffs in his first season as a head coach. He too, was a long time assistant Division I, FBS position coach. With Coach Joe Taylor at Florida A&M, the American Football Coaches Association Region 2 and 2010 MEAC Coach of the Year - Brian Jenkins at Bethune Cookman, Oliver "Buddy" Pough at South Carolina State, Donald Hill-Eley at Morgan State, Pete Adrian at Norfolk State, and Donovan Rose at Hampton, the MEAC has the potential to become a powerhouse football conference overnight.
It is no longer a league for under-achieving players and under performing coaches. Expectations are high for great performances not only in the classroom, but on the gridiron and weight rooms as well. The administrations have raised the bar. The fans are demanding more for their financial support of the athletic programs. And athletic directors know their jobs are on the line if they do not deliver a championship product on the field.
Let's not forget parity of the conference this past season which ended in a three-way tie for the championship. Florida A&M ruined Bethune-Cookman's perfect, undefeated season and earned a share of the conference crown with the Wildcats and South Carolina State. The Bulldogs and Wildcats lost in the initial round of the FCS playoffs, with B-CU earning a first round bye.
The 2011 season will be even more exciting with the infusion of proven winners -- Broadway and Frazier--both bringing a championship mentality and wide-open brand of football over from the Southwestern Athletic Conference. We all know how well Grambling State and Prairie View dominated the SWAC competition under the experienced eyes of Broadway and Frazier. Expect more of the same in the MEAC.
What Delaware State lacks this season in pure athletic talent, Coach Blount will make the Hornets competitive right away with a powerful offensive game and tough defense. The only question is how quickly can Savannah State and Howard become competitive with new commitments from their Administrations. We believe they hired the right guys for their situations, but they need time to put the pieces together to build the programs.
Parity is the right word to use in describing the new MEAC, as there will be "no cupcakes" in this conference in a 2-3 years. At least not in football competition.
So get ready to move over Colonial Athletic, Southern, and Ohio Valley conferences as its a new day in the Football Championship Subdivision.
High Quality Players returning to HBCUs
If you don't believe me, check out the outstanding haul of three and four-star players that signed National Letters of Intent with MEAC institutions. Who would have thought that Bethune-Cookman would ink 2010 Florida Mr. Football, record-setting quarterback Quentin Williams. Williams led Tampa Jefferson (15-0) to the 3A state championship and rewrote the Florida passing record lists, with new standards for yards in a season (4,451) and career (10,384) and TDs in a season (56) and career (109).
Florida A&M may have the second best class overall, signing 24 of 25 players on their draft board, including quarterback Tyler Bass, a transfer from Memphis, Casey Turner, a star running back transfer from Rutgers and a bunch of stud linemen to build depth on both lines. Coach Taylor describes the class as his best ever, since taking over the Rattlers program. Don't expect the Rattlers to not make the FCS playoffs in 2011, as Taylor has a stable of smart and athletically sound players returning.
S.C. State as always, snatched the best skill players in the state and is loaded with redshirt talent from last year's signing class. The Bulldogs will be in contention again for the conference championship and a playoff berth, if they can survive a September schedule with road stops at Central Michigan, Bethune-Cookman and Indiana University (Bloomington) before their home opener with Delaware State.
Coach Pough also has a difficult month of October, with Norfolk State on the road and NCCU coming in for an early homecoming. Georgia State is next at home for the Bulldogs and you may not want to call the Panthers a "cupcake," who went 6-5 in its first season, knocking off both SSU and NCCU at the Georgia Dome.
MEAC improving in Attendance
The FAMU brand is also at the top in Football Championship Subdivision in 2010 home attendance. The Rattlers were ranked #11 out of 117 FCS (#2 in HBCUs) programs in home attendance with 15,913 average for four home games.
This was better than Division I, FBS program attendance at Eastern Michigan 15,885, Miami (OH) 15,559, Ball State 8,947, Bowling Green 13,306, Buffalo 12,981, Akron 10,105, Florida Atlantic 14,425, Idaho 12,730, New Mexico State 15,906, San Jose State 14,474, Western Kentucky 14,577 and Western Michigan 14,255.
South Carolina State was ranked #13 out of 117 FCS programs (#3 in HBCUs) with a 14,862 average for five home contests. This was better than nine of the twelve Division I FBS programs listed above.
The Rattlers and Bethune-Cookman attracted 61,712 to their annual neutral site Florida Classic battle at the Orlando Citrus Bowl with a national television audience watching. The same was repeated with the Atlanta Football Classic, FAMU vs. Tennessee State with 52,202 in attendance. The game was televised live by Versus nationally.
Let us share with you another positive fact about the MEAC.
The NCAA data does not include neutral site games into the average per home game computations. In other words, the MEAC's best attended games--the Florida Classic and the Atlanta Football Classic are not included in the average attendance numbers. If it was included in the data for 2010, FAMU average attendance would be 29,594 or 4,000 fans per game average better than FCS #1, Appalachian State.
And Jackson State's Southwestern Athletic Conference leading average would be 27,564, not 24,140 as indicated in the report.
So, what does that tell you?
The MEAC did better in attendance in 2010 than some Sun-Belt, Western Athletic and Mid-American conference teams playing on the Division I, FBS level.
With the World-renowned Florida A&M University Marching 100, the Rattlers helped University of Miami set its third highest attendance record at Sun Life Stadium with 53,674 in 2010. Expect more of the same when the Rattlers visit University of South Florida on September 17, 2011. The last FAMU game in 2005 drew an announced crowd of 43,122, then the second-largest crowd ever to see the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium.
MEAC programs like the FAMU brand is returning to its former glory with top student-athletes selecting the Rattlers and the MEAC over FBC programs. No doubt, Florida A&M and other conference programs have a better academic reputation and a very long history of placing great players into the NFL.
For some parents, the MEAC institutions offers an opportunity for guaranteed success both in the classroom and in the field of completion. More importantly, most student-athletes are walking away in 4-5 years having earned their undergraduate degrees and ready to take on the challenges of life.
With the MEAC experimenting with video replay for ESPN televised games next season, the conference front office has really gotten serious about the quality of its football. Now that everyone is on the same page, it will be interesting to see how the out-of conference schedule plays out.
Out-of-conference schedules stronger
Viewing the few schedules that have been released so far, 2011 should be a bumper year in attendance and support for the MEAC with high quality opponents filling out the schedules. Here's a quick look of the 2011 MEAC out-of conference games:
BCU vs. Miami, Oct. 1 BCU vs. Fort Valley State, Oct. 15 FAMU vs. Fort Valley State, Sept. 3 FAMU vs. South Florida, Sept. 17 FAMU vs. Southern, Sept. 24 SCSU vs. Central Michigan, Sept. 1 SCSU vs. Indiana, Sept. 17 SCSU vs. Georgia State, Oct. 15 SSU vs. Albany State, Sept. 3 SSU vs. Southeastern Louisiana, Sept. 10 SSU vs. Appalachian State, Sept. 17 NCAT vs. Appalachian State, Sept. 10 NCCU vs. Rutgers, Sept. 1 NCCU vs. Central State, Sept. 10 NCCU vs. Elon, Sept. 17 NSU vs. VSU, Sept. 3 NSU vs. West Virginia, Sept. 10 NSU vs. Charles Southern, Sept. 14
Hampton vs. AAMU, Sept.3
We are always reminded that the reason most women come to the games are for the half-time shows. With new members Savannah State and North Carolina Central, expect major improvements in their marching band programs along with their quick growth in football competition. The SSU Tigers have a tremendous upside, and having a head coach that coached and recruited in Atlanta and the backwoods of Georgia is a major plus. The former Georgia state high school coach of the year recruited the region as a position coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and played his college ball at Georgia Tech.
Georgia Avenue in Washington, D.C. may never be the same again, with new Bison athletic director Louis "Skip" Perkins and Gary "the Flea" Harrell on board. Perkins is a local product from Fort Washington, Maryland (Prince George's County) and is very familiar with the local football landscape at the high school level. He comes to Howard from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, where he had much success as the athletic director over the Golden Lions program.
Harrell is a Miami native that would love to get some of that Florida speed on the Bison team. With Ted White on board as the Bison offensive coordinator, there is no doubt that the 2011 Bison will be the most improved team in the MEAC.
You would think that Morgan State would recruit those strong musicians that plays in the Coppin State pep band, to give it more brass horsepower. But that's another story for another day. As you can see below, most of the MEAC bands are improving--NCCU, SCSU, NSU and B-CU are becoming world-class music organizations, like their teacher -- the Florida A&M University Marching 100.
Who said competition wasn't good for the MEAC? Iron does sharpen iron!
by beepbeep 2/13/11
Credits:
1. North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine & Golden Delight Dancers, Videographer: SpeechlessQue; 11/13/2010.
2. Savannah State University Coastal Empire Sound Explosion Marching Band & The Klassy Kitties Dancers, Videographer: TheOProductions1907
3. Howard University ShowTime Marching Band & Oh La La Dancers, Videographer: HUReaction
4. Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats & 14 Karat Gold Dancers, Videographer: MarchingsportHD
5. Delaware State University Marching Band 'The Approaching Storm and D'Elegance Dancers' Videographer:8to5pros
6. Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band and Hot Ice Dancers, Videographer: freezezone1
7. Morgan State University "Magnificent Marching Machine & Foxy Dancers" Videographer: pvimaging
8. South Carolina State University Marching 101 Band & Champagne Dancers, Pt.1&2, Videographer: Biranandrew
9. Hampton University Marching Force Band and Ebony Fire, Videographer:JayHowEdu
10. North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine Band & The Exquisite Ladies of the eClipse; Part 1&2, Videographer: Music213
11. Coppin State University Eagle Band, Pt. 1&2, Videographer: Anakoni2012
12. Florida A&M University Marching 100, Videographer: ThePoopFly
13. Florida A&M University Marching 100, Videographer: sonyadenise1974
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida --The Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats have had at least a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship for the past four years; they are looking to extend that streak in 2016.
