NORFOLK, Va. – Howard University quarterback Caylin Newton was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player and Rookie of the Week, the conference announced today. Howard linebacker Eli Anglin was named the Defensive Player of the Week while North Carolina Central’s Marley Conley received Offensive Lineman of the Week honors. Bethune-Cookman placekicker Uriel Hernandez was tabbed as the Specialist of the Week.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER / ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
CAYLIN NEWTON
HOWARD
QB
5-11, 195, Fr.
ATLANTA, GA.
Newton had the highest offensive output in the MEAC last weekend as the freshman combined for 366 yards of total offense. Newton led the MEAC in pass efficiency (212.1) after completing 16-of-21 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns, which marked the first time he has thrown for multiple touchdowns. He also rushed for 81 yards on 10 attempts as Howard defeated Delaware State. DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
ELI ANGLIN
HOWARD
LB
6-4, 225, Sr.
DETROIT, MICH.
Anglin had nine tackles and tied for the MEAC lead with two sacks in last week’s win at Delaware State. The Detroit, Mich. native also totaled four tackles for loss and recovered a fumble for a 96-yard touchdown which moved Howard ahead at the close of the first half. OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
MARLEY CONLEY
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL
OT
6-5, 280, Sr.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.
Conley played 62 snaps and had to play both tackle spots as the Eagles amassed 409 yards of total offense in a 24-17 non-conference win over Gardner-Webb. He graded out at 90 percent with five pancake blocks and no sacks allowed.
SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK
URIEL HERNANDEZ
BETHUNE-COOKMAN
PK
5-4, 209, Jr.
HOMESTEAD, FLA.
Hernandez was directly responsible for Bethune-Cookman’s 12-9 win over South Carolina State as he accounted for all 12 BCU points with four field goals. He finished the game 4-for-5 on all attempts, including three (3) field goals from 30-yards out or more. It was the first time in the modern era BCU has won a game with scoring an offensive touchdown. It was also the most field goals in a game since 1989 – that also coming against South Carolina State.
NOTABLE PERFORMERS
Chris Adams (C/Bethune-Cookman)
Adams helped BCU to 371 yards of total offense against South Carolina State’s defense, as well as 242 yards through the air protecting quarterbacks Larry Brihm, Jr. and Akevious Williams.
Kyle Archie (LB/Norfolk State)
Archie recorded a career-high 15 tackles (4 solo) versus Hampton.
Manassah Bailey (WR/Morgan State)
Bailey blocked a punt leading to a touchdown to put the Bears up 21-7 in the first quarter versus Savannah State. Bailey also collected five catches for 116 yards; including a 60-yard touchdown reception.
Devin Bowers (RB/Florida A&M)
Bowers recorded 119 total yards of offense; including a pair of touchdowns. He finished last week’s game versus North Carolina A&T State with 12 rushes for 100 yards and two receptions.
Larry Brihm Jr. (QB/Bethune-Cookman)
Brihm passed for a game-high 234 yards, connecting on 22-of-34 passing. He also ran 10 times for 35 yards on the day in the win over the Bulldogs.
Delwaun Beard (DE/ Bethune-Cookman)
Beard produced the game-saving blocked field goal as time expired in a 12-9 win over South Carolina State. Beard also picked up four tackles (two solo), while securing a pass deflection and a tackle for loss.
Juwan Carter (QB/Norfolk State)
Carter completed 16-of-31 passes for 211 yards; including two touchdowns in Saturday’s contest against Hampton.
Chauncey Caldwell (QB/North Carolina Central)
Caldwell passed for a career-high 333 yards and 2 touchdowns, including an 89-yard TD strike for the third-longest pass play in school history. He also rushed for a nine-yard touchdown to account for three TDs in NCCU’s 24-17 win over Gardner-Webb.
Jequez Ezzard (WR/Howard)
Ezzard produced 237 all-purpose yards, including 133 in return yards in the Bison victory over Delaware State.
Harry Freeman IV (CB/Hampton)
Freeman blocked a first quarter punt that helped propel Hampton to its second touchdown of the first quarter against Norfolk State.
Ryan Gould (G/Hampton)
Gould switched from tackle to guard last week and helped lead an offensive line that allowed no sacks and accumulated 273 yards of total offense as Hampton defeated Norfolk State.
Trey Gross (WR/Delaware State)
Gross secured six receptions for a total of 154 yards; including two touchdowns. His performance against Howard was the most receiving yards by a DSU freshman since 1997.
James Holman (OL/Howard)
Holman led the Bison attack which accumulated 628 total offensive yards in their win over Delaware State.
Devin James (LB/Bethune-Cookman)
James collected five assisted stops in a 12-9 win over South Carolina State.
Yahkee Johnson (RB/Hampton)
Johnson secured a season-high 27 carries for his second 100-plus yard effort on the year as Hampton snapped a three-game losing skid to Norfolk State to win the Battle of The Bay.
Rico Kennedy (LB/Morgan State)
Kennedy led the Bears defensive unit with a game-high nine tackles to go along with a sack in the win over Savannah State.
Keenan Marr (DL/Hampton)
Marr recorded five total tackles (3 solo) and one sack as Hampton held Norfolk State to 84 yards rushing to win the Battle of the Bay.
Brandon Parker (OL/North Carolina A&T State)
Parker went another week without committing a penalty. He also did not allow a hurry for the eighth straight week, and he has never allowed a sack. The Aggies averaged five yards per play on Saturday against Florida A&M.
Lamar Raynard (QB/North Carolina A&T State)
Raynard completed 20-of-32 passes for 215 yards; including three touchdown passes in the second quarter against Florida A&M.
Noel Ruiz (K/North Carolina A&T State)
Ruiz went 4-for-4 on extra points and was 1-for-1 on field goals to score seven points for the Aggies in the win over FAMU.
Elijah Staley (QB/Morgan State)
Staley completed 14-of-22 passes for 220 yards; including three touchdown passes and Morgan State -jumped to a 42-7 first-half lead en route to a 48-28 win over Savannah State.
Jeremy Taylor (S/North Carolina A&T State)
Taylor intercepted a pass in the second quarter and returned it 32 yards to set up a 4-yard TD pass on the offensive side of the ball. His breakup on fourth down in the fourth quarter clinched the win for A&T.
Marcus Taylor (WR/Norfolk State)
Taylor registered his first career 100-yard game and tallied 183 all-purpose yards; including two touchdown passes for the first time in his career against Hampton.
Nathaniel Tilque (P/North Carolina Central)
Tilque placed five of his seven punts inside the opponent’s 10-yard line, pinning the Bulldogs at their own 8, 6, 3 (twice) and 1-yard line. He also belted a long punt of 52 yards.
Jakaris Wilson (LB/Florida A&M)
Wilson secured nine tackles (3 solo) and a half-tackle for loss against North Carolina A&T State.
Courtesy: MEAC
