NORFOLK, Va. – Hampton quarterback David Watford was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced today. South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard was named Defensive Player of the Week.
S.C. State’s Caleb York earned Rookie of the Week honors while Hampton’s Michael Young received his second straight Offensive Lineman of the Week honor. Savannah State’s Juwuan Tolbert was selected as the Special Teams Player of the Week.
Watford (QB, 6-2, 212, Gr., Hampton, Va.) led the Pirates with 337 yards of total offense with 279 passing and 58 rushing. He finished the game with two rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown. He connected with nine different receivers as the Pirates picked up their first conference win over rival Howard. Also, he was named the Nation’s Football Classic MVP for his performance.
Leonard (LB, 6-2, 200, r-So., Lake View, S.C.) posted a career-high 16 solo tackles in the Bulldogs win over Florida A&M. He registered 3.0 tackles for a loss of eight yards and one sack to aid.
Young (C, 6-1, 285, r-Jr., Atlanta, Ga.) anchored the Pirates offense line that assisted with 460 yards of total offense in the win over Howard. He graded out at 97-percent of his assignments and recorded four pancake blocks in the victory.
York (QB, 6-1, 210, Fr., Charlotte, N.C.) led the Bulldogs to their first conference win of the season with a 36-0 victory over Florida A&M. The freshman passed for 230 yards, connecting on 18-of-37 attempts, with two touchdowns. He accounted for 248 total offensive yards, including 18 on the ground.
Tolbert (DB, 5-10, 185, So., Augusta, Ga.) returned a blocked field goal 81-yards for a touchdown against Akron. Defensively, he also recorded one interception and two tackles.
Other Top Performances
John Barron (SSU) averaged 42 yards on nine punts with a long of 48 yards and hit a 30 yard field goal against Akron. He also recorded three kickoffs for 169 yards with two touchbacks.
Isiah Bennett (SSU) led the team with a game-high nine tackles, with one interception, against Akron.
Colby Blanton (FAMU) had 443 yards on a school-record 11 attempts (40.3 avg.) against S.C. State.
Kashawn Butler (FAMU) posted eight solo tackles and forced one fumble, while recovering two, against S.C. State.
Jonathan Cagle (B-CU) punted four times including a booming a 51-yarder against Lane. He landed one punt inside the 20, and three went for touchbacks, as he did not allow a single return.
Tarik Cohen (NCAT) rushed for 96 yards on 23 carries, including the game-winning touchdown with six minutes remaining, in the Aggies win over Elon. He also caught two passes for 18 yards.
Aquanis Freeman (HOW) ran for a game-high 129 yards on 18 carries with one touchdown in a loss to Hampton. He also led the team in receiving with six catches for 19 yards. Also, Freeman scored on two PAT conversations, one rushing, and the other receiving.
Sean Fogarty (SSU) received a grade of 88-percent on his assignments and collected two pancake blocks against Akron.
Travon Hunt (HOW) recorded two interceptions, along with two solo tackles, against Hampton.
Marquis Ragland (NCAT) made nine tackles, including one sack and four quarterback hurries, in the Aggies win over Elon.
Keith McAfee (HAM) guided the Pirates defense with nine tackles, three for a loss of 19 yards and one sack. He also forced a fumble in the win over Howard.
Orlando McKinley (FAMU) finished with seven solo tackles against S.C. State.
Jalen Simmons (SCSU) recorded 15 carries for 168 yards in a win over Florida A&M.
Rodney Way (B-CU) collected a team-high nine tackles, six solo, with 2.5 for a loss of 10 yards and one breakup in the win over Lane College.
Quentin Williams (B-CU) registered 168 yards on 14-of-19 passing and 63 rushing yards on 15 attempts to lead the Wildcats to a 7-3 win over Lane College.
Deonta Allen Wright (HOW) graded out on 94-percent of his assignments, with three pancake blocks, as he led the Bison offensive line that amassed 333 yards of total offense against Hampton.
Oral Varccian (HAM) finished the game with three tackles and a fumble recovery that he returned 19 yards in Hampton’s win over Howard.
MEAC
