NORFOLK, Va. – North Carolina Central University wide receiver Jacen Murphy was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced today. Bethune-Cookman defensive lineman Todney Evans was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week while North Carolina Central’s Nick Leverett received Offensive Lineman of the Week honors. North Carolina Central quarterback Chauncey Caldwell earned Rookie of the Week honors while Florida A&M placekicker Yahia Aly was tabbed as the Specialist of the Week.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER
JACEN MURPHY
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL
WR
5-10, 190, SR.
WILMINGTON, N.C.
Murphy recorded 10 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns against Delaware State on Saturday. His 189 receiving yards ranks as the top single game performance in the MEAC this season and the most receiving yardage since 2015. It was also the most yardage by an Eagle in 27 years, and his 10 catches ties for fifth in NCCU history.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
TODNEY EVANS
BETHUNE-COOKMAN
DL
6-2, 222, R-JR.
DELRAY BEACH, FLA.
Evans amassed a team-best seven tackles over the weekend in a big MEAC win over previously league-unbeaten Hampton. He totaled seven tackles as well as collecting a season-high two quarterback sacks. He also broke up a pair of passes for the Wildcats, tying for the game high in that department.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
NICK LEVERETT
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL
T
6-4, 300, R-SO.
CONCORD, N.C.
Leverett played 69 snaps as the Eagles amassed 401 yards of total offense in a 42-14 win over Delaware State. He graded out at 91 percent with six pancake blocks and no sacks allowed.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
CHAUNCEY CALDWELL
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL
QB
6-2, 225, FR.
DURHAM, N.C.
Caldwell accounted for four touchdowns in the team’s win over Delaware State. He finished 17-of-29 for 242 yards in the air with two touchdowns and also ran for a pair of scores.
SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK
YAHIA ALI
FLORIDA A&M
PK
6-0, 200, JR.
OSCEOLA, IA.
Ali totaled 10 points as Florida A&M defeated Morgan State 34-31 on Saturday. The junior finished 4-for-4 on PATs and booted a pair of field goals in the third quarter which broke two ties at that point.
NOTABLE PERFORMERS
Ronald Bell (WR/Hampton)
Bell secured eight receptions for 79 yards; including two touchdowns at Bethune-Cookman.
Larry Brihm Jr. (QB/Bethune-Cookman)
Brihm, Jr. connected on 19-of-29 passing attempts totaling 262 yards; including a touchdown and a season-long 66-yard pass in the victory over Hampton.
Dwayne Brown (OL/Bethune-Cookman)
Brown was a catalyst for the Bethune-Cookman offensive line as he helped the Wildcat offense amass 367 yards of total offense against Hampton.
Brian Cavicante (LB/Delaware State)
Cavicante recorded a career-high 16 tackles (4 solo); including three tackles for a loss against North Carolina Central.
Jayso’n Davidson (LB/Hampton)
Davidson claimed seven tackles (3 solo), three tackles for a loss, including a sack, at Bethune-Cookman.
Jules Dornevil (CB/Florida A&M)
Dornevil secured six tackles (5 solo) and returned a second quarter fumble 30 yards for a touchdown in the win over Morgan State.
Jequez Ezzard (WR/Howard)
Ezzard posted a season-high 144 receiving yards on four catches in the road victory over South Carolina State. He recorded 234 all-purpose yards; including 90 yards in returns.
D’Vonn Gibbons (QB/Savannah State)
Gibbons finished 11-of-17 for 120 yards and one touchdown in the win at Norfolk State. He also rushed for 89 yards on 21 attempts with a touchdown.
DeAndre Harris (QB/Morgan State)
Harris came off the sidelines and completed 8-of-19 passes for 149 yards and accounted for a pair of touchdowns. He also had 12 carries for 64 yards and scored on a three-yard run.
Chad Hunter (WR/Florida A&M)
Hunter had six catches totaling 140 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 23.3 yards per reception against Morgan State.
Devin James (LB/Bethune-Cookman)
James claimed six tackles, three coming by way of a primary stop in a 24-21 win over Hampton.
Rico Kennedy (LB/Morgan State)
Kennedy led the Bears with eight tackles; including two tackles for loss versus Florida A&M.
Aulden Knight (WR/Hampton)
Knight accounted for 91 yards on five receptions to match his season high at Bethune-Cookman.
Kwannah Kollie (WR/Delaware State)
Kollie recurred three receptions for a career-high 107 yards, including his second career touchdown on a 52-yard catch at North Carolina Central.
Chris Lee (DL/Norfolk State)
Lee set new career highs in tackles for loss and sacks versus Savannah State. He recorded seven tackles (6 solo), 3.5 tackles for a loss; including 2.5 sacks.
Malik Mackey (OL/Hampton)
Mackey was the graded offensive lineman for Hampton as he allowed no sacks at Bethune-Cookman. He helped the Pirate offense amass 272 yards of total offense.
Jaylen McCloud (RB/Savannah State)
McCloud rushed for a team-high 132 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown in the win at Norfolk State.
Devin Rollins (LB/Howard)
Rollins registered five solo tackles; including three tackles for a loss in the road win at South Carolina State.
Fidel Romo-Martinez (P/Delaware State)
Romo-Martinez averaged 45.2 yards on nine punts (long 57) and placed one punt inside North Carolina Central’s 20-yard line.
Ryan Stanley (QB/Florida A&M)
Stanley completed 17-of-23 passes for 286 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in the victory over Morgan State.
Courtesy: MEAC
