NORFOLK, Va. – 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. Savannah State defensive end Marquis Smith was named Defensive Player of the Week.
Savannah State’s TJ Bell and Hampton’s Robert Scott earned Co-Rookie of the Week honors, while North Carolina A&T State’s Brandon Parker received Offensive Lineman of the Week honors. Uriel Hernandez, of Bethune-Cookman, was selected as the Specialist of the Week.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tarik Cohen
North Carolina A&T State
RB
5-6, 179, Sr.
Bunn, N.C.
Cohen finished Saturday’s 42-17 victory over Florida A&M with 145 yards, on 17 carries, and three touchdowns. He currently leads the FCS in total touchdowns (15). Cohen also had three receptions for 65 yards in the game. Cohen has earned the honor six times this season and five consecutive weeks.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Marquis Smith
Savannah State
DE
6-3, 230, Sr.
District Heights, Md.
Smith recorded a game-high 13 tackles (11 solo), including five tackles for a loss of 30 yards, in the 31-27 [lasso align=”right” cart=”y” identifier=”B00FK4VMXU” locale=”US” tag=”hbcusports-20″ ref=”amzn-college-flags-and-banners-co-savannah-state-university-tigers-3×5-flag” type=”single” id=”71886″ link_id=”5113″]win over Howard. He also had two sacks for a loss of 14 yards and forced one fumble in the game. This marks the second time this season Smith has garnered defensive player of the week honors.
ROOKIES OF THE WEEK
TJ Bell
Savannah State
QB
6-3, 180, Fr.
Louisville, Ky.
Bell completed 16-of-31 passes (51.6 percent) for 241 yards in the 31-27 win over Howard. He threw a game-winning six-yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds left to seal the Tigers’ first-ever win over Howard.
Robert Scott
Hampton
DB
6-0, 208, Fr.
Richmond, Va.
Scott posted eight tackles, including two solo, in the 28-26 win over South Carolina State. He also had one forced fumble, one interception and one pass breakup in the game. Scott forced a SC State fumble midway in the fourth quarter to end a potential scoring drive.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
Brandon Parker
North Carolina A&T State
LT
6-7, 299, r-Jr.
Kannapolis, N.C.
Parker earned a team-high 90-percent on his blocking assignments, with five pancake blocks, no penalties and no sacks allowed, as N.C. A&T State finished with 543 yards of offense. He also helped in pass protection, as the Aggies completed 20-of-27 passes, with one touchdown, in the win over Florida A&M. Parker has earned the offensive lineman of the week award three times this season.
SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK
Uriel Hernandez
Bethune-Cookman
PK
5-4, 209, So.
Homestead, Ga.
Hernandez scored 11 points for the Wildcats, as he finished 2-for-2 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points in the 41-10 win over Delaware State. He also served as punter in the game, averaging 42 yards on four punts.
Other Top Performers
Kyle Anthony (WR/HOW) caught a career-high nine passes, for 134 yards and one touchdown, against Savannah State.
Chuma Awanna (WR/NSU) caught his first career touchdown pass in the win over Morgan State.
Elijah Bell (WR/NCAT) caught a 25-yard touchdown pass to give the Aggies the lead over Florida A&M before halftime.
De’Montrez Burroughs (WR/SCSU) caught a career-high seven passes, for 133 yards, against Hampton.
Jai Franklin (DT/MSU) posted a game-high 10 tackles against Norfolk State.
Khris Gardin (PR/NCAT) registered a 31-yard punt return that set up a touchdown for the Aggies.
Greg Hankerson (QB/NSU) threw a season-high three touchdowns in the 27-14 win over Morgan State.
Deandre Harris (QB/MSU) threw his first career touchdown against Norfolk State.
Terry Jefferson (DB/FAMU) notched two interceptions for 39-yard returns against North Carolina A&T State.
Kalen Johnson (QB/HOW) recorded a career-high 278 yards on 23 passes against Savannah State.
Chris Lee (DL/NSU) recovered a fumble that led to Norfolk State’s first touchdown of the day, in the win over Morgan State.
Landon Malbrough (WR/MSU) notched six receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns against Norfolk State.
Cameron Marouf (PK/NSU) went 2-for-2 in field goals and 3-for-3 in extra points in the win 27-14 win over Morgan State.
Dazzie Morris (OL/B-CU) earned a 94-percent blocking grade, with two pancake blocks, in the win over Delaware State.
Jerome Pettiway (P/SCSU) averaged 37.6 yards on five punts against Hampton.
Elijah Price (DE/FAMU) tallied three solo tackles and three tackles for a loss against North Carolina A&T State.
Dayshawn Taylor (LB/SCSU) registered a team-high nine tackles, including two for a loss, against Hampton.
Kevin Thompson (DL/B-CU) tallied six tackles, including three solo, in the win over Delaware State.
Cameron Ribgy (RB/B-CU) rushed for a game- and career-high 106 yards in the win over Delaware State.
Akevious Williams (QB/B-CU) came off the bench to rush for one touchdown in the win over Delaware State.
Jaylian Williamson (QB/HAM) threw a 57-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give Hampton the lead in the win over South Carolina State.
Courtesy: MEAC
