Sophomore quarterback T.J. Mitchell of Hampton University and Markee Hamlin of South Carolina State University were selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Football Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, the league announced Monday.
Carlo Turavani also of Hampton earned Rookie of the Week honors, while James Lee of South Carolina State and Corey Council of Bethune-Cookman were selected as the offensive lineman and special teams’ player of the week, respectively.
Mitchell (QB, 6-3, 189, So., Virginia Beach, Virginia) connected on 19-of-36 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Pirates to their first win of the 2007 season. Mitchell also ran for 18 yards on five carries.
Hamlin (DB/SS, 6-0, 170, So., Lamar, South Carolina) helped spearhead the Bulldogs defense by limiting Bethune-Cookman to 247 total offensive yards. He led the Bulldogs with 11 tackles, four solo, with one for a loss of two yards.
Turavani (PK, 5-10, 180, Fr., Ontario, Canada) scored seven points to lead the Pirates to a 31-24 win over Howard. In addition to a 20-yard field goal, Turavani was perfect (4-of-4) in extra point attempts.
Lee (OT, 6-6, 300, r-Sr., Belle Glade, Florida) proved to be key for South Carolina State’s win over Bethune-Cookman by aiding the Bulldogs to 271 yards on the ground and 359 total offensive yards. In addition, Lee had five domination blocks and four cut blocks.
Council (KR, 5-10, 170, Jr., Valdosta, Georgia) recorded his first-ever kickoff return for a touchdown on a 98-yard return against S.C. State, tying him for second in the Wildcats’ record book. He recorded three kickoff returns for 142 yards and one touchdown, as well as one punt return for 15 yards against the Bulldogs.
Other Top Performances:
Jahmal Blanchard (HAM) averaged 58.3 kickoff yards and 53.0 yards punting with one inside the 20-yard line and two touchbacks in the Pirates season opener.
Dakarai Grimsley (MSU) graded out at 98-percent on his assignments against Towson. He aided the offense to 375 total yards, 245 yards on the ground.
Wakeem Goode (HAM) tied a game high nine tackles, four solo, in the Pirates victory.
Jerrell Guyton (MSU) recorded nine tackles, six solo, and a sack for an eight yard loss for the Bears last week.
Brian Johnson (HOW) compiled 323 total offensive yards and set career record marks in attempts (37), completions (21), and passing yards (244) in the Bison’s home opener.
Andre Kennard (DSU) tallied eight tackles, five solo, a interception, and two broken up passes in the Hornets win over FAMU.
Cleveland McCoy (SCSU) accounted for 156 yards including two touchdown passes in a 24-13 win over Bethune-Cookman
Andrew Sagote’ (NCAT) aided the Aggies run attack that rushed for 181 yards. He also recorded five pancake blocks in the losing effort.
Chad Simpson (MSU) rushed for a top 2007 MEAC performance of 195 yards on 25 carry attempts.
Vernon Wilder (FAMU) finished as the team’s leading tackler with 10 tackles, a forced fumble and recovery in the Rattlers game against Delaware State.
