NORFOLK, Va. – Bethune-Cookman quarterback Larry Brihm, Jr. and North Carolina A&T State quarterback Lamar Raynard were named Co-Offensive Players of the Week for their play on the field this past weekend. Hampton linebacker Steven Smith, Jr. and North Carolina A&T State safety Jeremy Taylor received Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors while Bethune-Cookman’s Chris Adams and North Carolina A&T State’s Brandon Parker were selected as the league’s Co-Offensive Linemen of the Week. Hampton’s Aulden Fieldsearned Rookie of the Week honors while North Carolina Central specialist Aedan Johnson was named MEAC Specialist of the Week.
CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
LARRY BRIHM
BETHUNE-COOKMAN
QB
5-11, 209, R-Sr.
DELRAY BEACH, FLA.
Brihm, Jr. completed a career-high 25 passes on 39 attempts for 354 yards as he led the Wildcats to a big road win over Southeastern Louisiana of the Southland Conference. He passed for two touchdowns and ran for another as the latter was the game-winner in the fourth quarter.
LAMAR RAYNARD
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE
QB
6-4, 200, R-Jr.
HIGH POINT, N.C.
Raynard earned offensive honors for the second consecutive week as he passed for 262 yards and five touchdowns in the first half of Saturday’s win over Mars Hill. The High Point, N.C. native threw a pair of touchdowns over 50-plus yards and has passed for a MEAC-best eight touchdowns in 2017.
CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
STEVEN SMITH, Jr.
HAMPTON
DE
6-2, 228, R-Sr.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.
Smith matched his career high in tackles (11) with a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss in Hampton’s win over Delaware State. The Virginia Beach, Va. native also had 1.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry as he led a Hampton defense that only allowed one first down in the second half on Friday evening.
JEREMY TAYLOR
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE
LB
5-11, 190, R-Sr.
KINSTON, N.C.
Taylor had a full stat line as he led the Aggies with 10 tackles in a 56-0 win over Mars Hill. He also logged a half-tackle for loss, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception in which he returned 32 yards.
SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK
AEDAN JOHNSON
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL
PK
5-8, 160, Jr.
CHULA VISTA, CALIF.
Johnson was responsible for 11 points in North Carolina Central’s 41-0 win over Shaw. He recorded field goals of 25 and 27 yards while finishing 5-for-5 on PATs.
CO-OFFENSIVE LINEMEN OF THE WEEK
CHRIS ADAMS
BETHUNE-COOKMAN
OL
6-4, 300, Sr.
DAYTON, OHIO
In just his second-ever start at center for the Wildcats, Adams graded out at 93 percent on all assignments, failing to give up a sack from his position on the field. He was never penalized, and the Dayton, Ohio native was key in blocking for quarterback Larry Brihm, Jr. to pass for 354 yards and a career-high 25 completions. He also helped block for the Cats to rack up 128 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns on the night.
BRANDON PARKER
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STAT
OL
6-7, 309, R-Sr.
KANNAPOLIS, N.C.
Parker led the way for an offensive unit which nearly put up 500 yards of offense in the win over Mars Hill. The Aggies have outscored their opponents 101-3 as Parker has not allowed a sack or quarterback pressure this season.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
AULDEN KNIGHT
HAMPTON
WR
5-10, 162, R-Fr.
AKRON, OHIO
Knight had four receptions for 172 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Delaware State. Both touchdowns came in the second quarter as he caught a 78-yard pass and a 48-yarder.
NOTABLE PERFORMERS
Antonio Brown (DE/North Carolina Central)
Brown recorded six tackles, 3.5 stops for a loss with two sacks and a fumble recovery in the Eagles’ shutout performance versus Shaw.
Juwan Carter (QB/Norfolk State)
Carter came off the bench to complete 11-of-19 passes for 160 yards versus William & Mary.
Tye Freeland (DB/Howard)
Freeland recorded nine tackles, three pass break-ups, a forced fumble and fumble recovery against Kent State.
Javaunie Francis (P/BCU)
Francis boomed away a pair of punts, averaging 47 yards per kick. His longest punt was a 50-yarder in the second half, pinning Southeastern Louisiana back deep inside its own 20-yard line.
Khris Gardin (PR/North Carolina A&T State)
Gardin returned three punts for 65 yards including a 50-yard return in the win over Mars Hill. He has 215 punt return yards over the first two games.
Uriah Gilbert (DL/BCU)
Gilbert picked up valuable playing time in a road win at Southeastern Louisiana. He finished the game with seven tackles, including five assisted tackles and picked up a tackle for loss.
Richard Johnson (DE/Howard)
Johnson tallied 11 tackles (seven solo) and also recorded a blocked field goal at Kent State.
Fidel Romo-Martinez (P/Delaware State)
Romo-Martinez averaged 47.8 yards on eight punts. His longest punt was 56 yards while also recording punts of 53 and 50 yards.
Mac McCain (CB/North Carolina A&T State)
McCain recorded 10 tackles (six solo), and broke up two passes versus Mars Hill.
Alexander Morales (LB/B-CU)
Morales recorded a team-high nine tackles in a road victory against Southeastern Louisiana. The Miami native picked up five primary stops and four assisted tackles.
Josh Nardone (PK/Norfolk State)
Nardone was 2-of-2 on field goal attempts, connecting from 19 and 37 yards out to account for six points versus William & Mary.
Anthony Philyaw (RB/Howard)
Philyaw rushed for 167 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown run, at Kent State
Nhyre’ Quinerly (DB/Norfolk State)
Quinerly finished the game with six tackles (four solo) and a sack for an eight-yard loss. His sideline interception of a W&M pass in NSU territory ended another Tribe possession.
Isiah Totten (RB/North Carolina Central)
Totten rushed for two, 25-yard touchdowns to finish the victory with a game-high 66 ground yards, while adding a 15-yard reception for a game-high 81 all-purpose yards.
Delmon Williams (QB/Hampton)
Williams completed three touchdown passes while passing for 305 yards in Hampton’s defeat of Delaware State.
Courtesy: MEAC
