2012 MEAC Preview: Are Multiple Playoff Bids in the Mix?

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference recently saw one member, Winston-Salem State, leave the conference and return to the Division II as the member of the SIAC, while adding two additional members in North Carolina Central and Savannah State. Although with the 2011 expansion of the league and the FCS playoffs, 2010, the conference was not rewarded with multiple bids to the dance in 2011.

By Dr. J. Kenyatta Cavil, Brandon Bolden and Guest Columnist Kydarian Wilkins
Inside the HBCU Huddle Columnists
College Sporting News

It may be difficult with the loss of the senior quarterback, Chris Walley, for Norfolk State to repeat as conference champions and earn the automatic bid to the playoffs. Especially, with Bethune-Cookman looking to complete unfinished business of winning the league title outright and earning a return trip to the playoffs. The Citrus State rival, Florida A&M, will have something to say about Bethune-Cookman’s goals. South Carolina State had their three-year run of winning the conference title end in 2011 and will look to right the ship this season.

MEAC PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. Norfolk State
2. South Carolina State
3. Bethune-Cookman
4. Florida A&M
5. Hampton
6. N.C. A&T
7. Morgan State
8. Howard
9. N.C. Central
10. Delaware State
11. Savannah State

MEAC - 2012 FOOTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE PRESEASON TEAM

Offensive Player of the Year:
RB Mike Mayhew, North Carolina A&T SR- Who led the MEAC in rushing last year with 1,120 yards on 231 total attempts. He also averaged 101.8 yards per game and recorded nine touchdowns.

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
LB Keith Pough, Howard SR-Pough led the conference in total tackles with 120 including 10.9 per game and also posted 71 solo tackles and ranked second in the MEAC in tackles for loss with 21.0 and added 3.0 sacks, two pass break-ups, 11 hurries, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble.

Preseason All-MEAC 1st Team Offense
QB Greg McGhee, SO, Howard
RB Mike Mayhew, SR, North Carolina A&T
RB Isidore Jackson, JR, Bethune-Cookman
WR Xavier Boyce, r-SR, Norfolk State
WR Travis Tarpley, r-SR, Delaware State
TE Joseph Hawkins, SR, Norfolk State
C Michael Kay, r-SR, Norfolk State
OL Steven Robinson, r-SR, Florida A&M
OL Blake Matthews, r-SR, Norfolk State
OL Terrance Hackney, JR, Bethune-Cookman
OL Cory Gwinner, r-SR, Howard

Preseason All-MEAC 1st Team Defense
DL Tony Mashburn, SR, North Carolina A&T
DL Padric Scott, r-SR, Florida A&M
DL Richard Ndubueze, SR, Morgan State
DL Matthew Davis, JR, Hampton
LB Keith Pough, r-SR, Howard
LB Jarkevis Fields, r-JR, Bethune-Cookman
LB D'Vonte Grant, r-SO, North Carolina A&T
DB John Ojo, SR, Florida A&M
DB DeVontae Johnson, SO, Florida A&M
DB Travis Crosby, JR, North Carolina A&T
DB D.J. Howard, r-JR, Bethune-Cookman

Preseason All-MEAC 1st Team Specialist
P Brandon Holdren, SR, Florida A&M
PK Everett Goldberg, SR, Norfolk State
RS Geovonie Irvine, r-SR, North Carolina Central

PREVIEW SNAPSHOT OF EACH SCHOOL:

Norfolk State University
School Nickname: Spartans
Location: Norfolk, VA
Stadium: William Dick Price Stadium (Capacity-34,000)
Head Coach: Pete Adrian (Overall Record: 24-28)
Who’s Back: 1st Team All-MEAC WR Xavier Boyce, TE Joseph Hawkins, C Michael Kay, OL Blake Matthews, PK Everett Goldberg, 2nd Team All-MEAC OL Cameron Williams
Who’s Gone: QB Chris Walley, OL Kendall Noble, DL, Josh Turner, LB Corwin Hammond, PK Ryan Estep
Historical Fact: Norfolk State University (NSU) is a four year, state-supported, coed, liberal arts, historically black university and also is a member-school of Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Virginia High-Tech Partnership.
Last Year: The Spartans finished 9-3 overall and (7-1 MEAC) and also went on to win the conference championship, they also received the conference automatic bid into the FCS playoffs where they lost in the first round to Old Dominion.
This Year: The Spartans are listed as the number one team in the MEAC and is predicted to win it all once again and go back to back.

South Carolina State University
School Nickname: Bulldogs
Location: Orangeburg, SC
Stadium: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium (Capacity-22,000)
Head Coach: Oliver “Buddy” Pough (Career Record: 83-33)
Who’s Back: 2nd Team ALL-MEAC C Tristan Bellamy, OL Sam Hammond, DL Leon Smith, LB Joe Thomas, DB Darius Drummond, RS Darius Drummond
Who’s Gone: DL Pat Washington, LB Donovan Richard, DB Dominique Ellis, DB Christian Thompson
Historical Fact: Since 1966 South Carolina State has been open to white students and faculty, but it has largely retained the mission and character as a historically black university.
Last Year: The Bulldogs finished 7-4 overall and (6-2 MEAC)
This Year: The Bulldogs are predicted to finish 2nd in the MEAC

Bethune Cookman University
School Nickname: Wildcats
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Stadium: Municipal Stadium-Larry Kelly Field (Capacity-10,000)
Head Coach: Brian Jenkins (Overall Record: 18-5)
Who’s Back: 1st Team All-MEAC RB Isidore Jackson, OL Terrance Hackney, LB Jarkevis Fields, DB D. J. Howard, 2nd Team All-MEAC WR Eddie Poole, OL Marquell Rozier, DL Harold Love III,
Who’s Gone: DL Ryan Davis, C Natiel Curry, LB Reginald Sandilands, LB Ryan Lewis,
Historical Fact: Bethune-Cookman College, now known as Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU), was founded in 1904 by Mary McLeod Bethune.
Last Year: Last Year the Wildcats finished 8-3 overall (6-2 MEAC)
This Year: The Wildcats are predicted to finish 3rd in the MEAC Standings.

Florida A&M University
School Nickname: Rattlers
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Stadium: Bragg Memorial Stadium (Capacity-25,000)
Head Coach: Joe Taylor (Overall Record: 25-9)
Who’s Back: 1st Team All-MEAC OL Steve Robison, DL Padric Scott, DB DeVontae Johnson, P Brandon Holdren, 2nd Team All-MEAC QB Damien Fleming
Who’s Gone: C Shelly Anthony, DB John Ojo, Ret Edmond Baker, WR Kevin Elliot, OL Brandon Curry, P/K Trevor Scott
Historical Fact: Florida A&M University (FAMU) is the nation’s top producer of African Americans at the bachelor degree level.
Last Year: The Rattlers finished 7-4 overall (5-3 MEAC)
This Year: This year FAMU is predicted to finish 4th in the MEAC Standings

Hampton University
School Nickname: Pirates
Location: Hampton, VA
Stadium: Armstrong Stadium (Capacity-17,000)
Head Coach: Donovan Rose (Overall Record: 16-14)
Who’s Back: 2nd Team ALL-MEAC RB Antwon Chrisholm, C Vincent Harper, LB Delbert Tyler, LB Lyndell Bibson, DB Justin Blake
Who’s Gone: DB Micah Pellerin, DL Ian Davidson,
Historical Fact: Hampton University offers 68 undergraduate programs, 27 master’s degree programs, and six doctoral degree programs and two specialists in education degrees. Hampton University current endowment is $193.4M.
Last Year: The Pirates finished 7-4 overall (5-3 MEAC)
This Year: The Pirates are projected to finish 5th in the MEAC Conference.

N.C. A&T University
School Nickname: Aggies
Location: Greensboro, NC
Stadium: Aggie Stadium (Capacity 21,500)
Head Coach: Rod Braodway (Overall Record: 72-31)
Who’s Back: Offensive Player of the year and 1st Team All-MEAC RB Mike Mayhew, 1st Team All-MEAC DL Tony Mashburn, LB D’Vonte Grant, DB D.J. Howard, 2nd Team All-MEAC OL Nathan Isles, DL Brandon Young
Who’s Gone: DB Justin Ferrel, WR Wallace Miles, OL Alex Harper, RET Geovonie Irvine
Historical Fact: Did you know North Carolina A&T was established in 1891 as the A. and M. College for the “Colored Race”?
Last Year: The Aggies finished 7th in the MEAC Conference with a 5-6 overall record and a 4-4 record in conference play.
This Year: The Aggies are projected to finish 6th in the MEAC Conference.

Morgan State University
School Nickname: Bears
Location: Baltimore, MD
Stadium: Hughes Stadium-The Den (Capacity-10,001)
Head Coach: Donald Hill-Eley (Overall Record: 42-48)
Who’s Back: 1st Team All-MEAC DL Richard Ndubueze, 2nd Team All-MEAC RB Travis Davidson, DB Kenneth Ridley
Who’s Gone: TE Lamont Bryant, OL Lawrence Brewer, DL Zackary Stewart
Historical Facts: Did you know founded in 1867; became public college in 1939; renamed Morgan State University by state legislature in 1975 to reflect expanded mission and scope?
Last Year: Last year the Bears finished 6th in the MEAC Conference with a 5-6 overall record and a 4-4 Conference record.
This Year: This year the Bears are projected to finish 7th in the conference after some key losses to the team.

Howard University
School Nickname: The Bison
Location: Washington, D. C.
Stadium: William H. Greene Stadium (Capacity-7,086)
Head Coach: Gary Harrell (Overall Record: 5-6)
Who’s Back: 1st Team All-MEAC QB Greg McGhee, OL Cory Gwinner, LB Keith Pough, 2nd Team All-MEAC DB DeCarlos Knight
Who’s Gone: WR Willie Carter, DL Sackie Kerkulah, DL Corey Berry, DB Lanny Kelly
Historical Facts: Did you know on September 4, 2009, 350 students and union workers protested the failure of the financial aid office to distribute promised funds to students?
Last Year: Last year the Bison finished 5th in the conference with a 5-6 overall and a 4-4 Conference record.
This Year: The Bison are projected to finish 8th in the conference also after a few key loses that helped the team out last year.

N.C. Central University
School Nickname: Eagles
Location: Raleigh, NC
Stadium: O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium (Capacity-11,500)
Head Coach: Henry Frazier III (Overall Record: 71-64)
Who’s Back: 2nd Team All-MEAC DL Xavier Proctor, 1st Team All-MEAC RS Geovonie Irvine
Historical Facts: Did you know North Carolina Central University, a state-supported liberal arts institution, was character in 1909 as a private institution and opened to students on July 5, 1910.
Last Year: The Eagles finished with a 2-9 overall record and a 1-7 conference record, 10th in the conference standings.
This Year: The Eagles are projected to finish 9th in the conference standings.

Delaware State University
School Nickname: Hornets
Location: Dover, DE
Stadium: Alumni Stadium (Capacity-7,193)
Head Coach: Kermit Blount (Overall Record: 91-87-3)
Who’s Back: 1st Team All-MEAC WR Travis Tarpley, 2nd Team All-MEAC WR Justin Wilson,
Historical Facts: Did you know Delaware State has two satellite campuses located in Wilmington, Delaware, and Georgetown, Delaware?
Last Year: Last year the Hornets finished 9th in the MEAC Conference with an overall 3-8 record and a 1-7 conference record.
This Year: The Hornets are projected to finish 10th in the conference standings.

Savannah State University
School Nickname: Tigers
Location: Savannah, GA
Stadium: Ted A. Wright Football Stadium (Capacity-7,500)
Head Coach: Steve Davanport (Overall Record: 1-10)
Who’s Back: 2nd Team All-MEAC TE Kris Drummond
Historical Facts: Did you know Savannah State University holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia?
Last Year: Last year The Tigers finished dead last in the conference with a 1-10 overall record and a 1-7 conference record.
This Year: The Tigers are projected to finish last in the MEAC Conference after they are in the rebuilding process.



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