NORFOLK, Va. – South Carolina State quarterback Caleb York was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced today. Savannah State linebacker Marquis Smith was named Defensive Player of the Week.
South Carolina State’s Bishop Ford earned Rookie of the Week honors, while North Carolina Central’s Nick Leverett received Offensive Lineman of the Week honors. Teammate Brandon McLaren was selected as the Specialist of the Week.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Caleb York
South Carolina State
QB
6-1, 210, So.
Charlotte, N.C.
York scored four of the Bulldogs’ six touchdowns in their 48-14 win over Florida A&M. He completed 21-of-38 passes (55.3 percent) for 238 yards. The Charlotte, N.C. native also rushed for 39 yards.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Marquis Smith
Savannah State
DE
6-3, 235, Sr.
Prince Georges County, Md.
Smith notched a game-high 12 tackles (nine solo), including 1.5 sacks and three tackles for a loss of 15 yards, in a 16-10 win over Bethune-Cookman. He also forced a fumble in overtime to help the Tigers defeat BCU for the first time since 1992.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Bishop Ford
South Carolina State
RB
5-7, 170, r-Fr.
Huntersville, N.C.
Ford rushed for 105 yards on 14 carries with one touchdown, in a win over Florida A&M. He also had three receptions for 39 yards. This was Ford’s first career 100-yard rushing game.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
Nick Leverett
North Carolina Central
OL
6-4, 290, So.
Concord, N.C.
Leverett earned a grade of 90 percent on his blocking assignments, including six pancake blocks and no sacks, as North Carolina Central finished with 401 yards of total offense. The Eagles rushed for 205 yards and completed 18 passes, for four touchdowns, in the 34-31 victory over Norfolk State.
SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK
Brandon McLaren
North Carolina Central
PK
5-9, 175, r-Sr.
Miami, Fla.
McLaren scored 10 points for the Eagles. He nailed two field goals from 25 and 29 yards in the win over Norfolk State.
TOP PERFORMERS
Adrien Allen (OL/MSU) recorded four knockdowns and helped the offensive line allow no sacks in the 28-24 win over Howard.
Chris Andrews (QB/MSU) passed for 178 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Howard.
Malcolm Bell (QB/NCCU) Passed for 196 yards and rushed for 77 yards in the win over Norfolk State. He scored a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter to seal North Carolina Central’s victory.
Antonio Brown (DE/NCCU) registered six tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble, against Norfolk State.
Greg Gibson (LB/MSU) led the team in tackles with 13 (seven solo) and forced two fumbles against Howard.
Jordan Griggs (PK/HOW) went 3-for-4 in his first collegiate appearance.
Deadrick Jones (CB/MSU) blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter to keep Howard from taking the lead.
Marquise Jones (DB/SCSU) notched two interceptions in the 48-14 win over Florida A&M.
Javarious Leamon (OL/SCSU) earned a 90-percent blocking grade, with six pancake blocks, in the win over Florida A&M.
Cameron Marouf (PK/NSU) went 3-for-3 in field goals and 2-for-2 in extra points to score 11 total points for the Spartans.
C.J. Rainey (RB/HOW) rushed for a career-high 78 yards on 16 carries against Morgan State.
Tyler Scandrett (PK/SCSU) nailed back-to-back field goals in the third quarter to increase South Carolina State’s lead over Florida A&M.
Kareem Smith (KR/PR/FAMU) averaged 24.1 yards per kick return, including a long of 45 yards, against South Carolina State.
