NORFOLK, Va., – North Carolina A&T State running back Jah-Maine Martin was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced today. Teammate Jermaine Williams was named Defensive of the Week and Delaware State freshman Tylik Bethea was selected as Rookie of the Week. Earning Offensive Lineman of the Week honors was North Carolina A&T State’s Marcus Pettiford and picking up Specialist of the Week honors was North Carolina A&T State’s Noel Ruiz.
Martin (RB, 5-10, 203, r-Jr., Conway, S.C) had a single-game performance for the ages, recording the third-best rushing game in school history on Saturday at Charleston Southern. He carried the ball 25 times for 299 yards and two touchdowns, averaging nearly 12 yards per rush. He had three runs greater than 30 yards, with two of them resulting in touchdowns (of 84 and 76 yards).
Williams (DL, 6-1, 270, r-Sr., Lumberton, N.C.) helped the Aggies defense hold Charleston Southern to only 101 yards of offense and seven points in the second half of Saturday’s 27-21 win in Charleston, S.C. The Bucs offense also only had 48 yards rushing. Williams finished the game with six total tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss of 13 yards and a sack for eight yards.
Bethea (QB, 6-5, 215, Fr., Brooklyn, N.Y.) completed 16 of 28 passes for 181 yards with a longest of 35 yards on Saturday, and he also threw two touchdowns in the Hornets’ home win over Lincoln (Pa).
Pettiford (OL, 6-4, 286, r-Sr., Durham, N.C.) graded out at 90 percent and spearheaded an Aggies squad that amassed over 467 yards of total offense on Saturday. He didn’t yield any sacks and recorded three pancake blocks with no penalties in the win over Charleston Southern. Behind Pettiford, Martin was about to run for 299 yards and two touchdowns.
Ruiz (K, 5-11, 187, Jr., Wilson, N.C.) connected on field goals of 27, 31, 43 and 46 yards for the Aggies in their 27-21 win over Charleston Southern. He was 4-for-4 on field goals and 1-for-1 on extra points, and he has connected on his last seven field-goal attempts dating back to the game-winner against Elon in the season opener.
OTHER TOP PERFORMERS
Keenan Black (DSU) returned three punts for 88 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown against Lincoln (Pa.).
Kwannah Kollie (DSU) had nine receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns in the Hornets’ win over Lincoln (Pa.).
Davonne Kendrick (FAMU) rushed for 82 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown against Fort Valley State, averaging 8.2 yards per carry.
Ryan Stanley (FAMU) was 20-for-31 with 275 yards and three touchdowns in the Rattlers’ win over Fort Valley State.
Manasseh Bailey (MSU) posted a career-high with 172 yards on four receptions, including the Bears’ first touchdown of the season on a 72-yards reception.
Adrian Olivo (NCCU) accounted for all 12 points for the Eagles, kicking four field goals, including a season-long 40-yarder against Gardner-Webb.
Stephen Stokes (NCCU) amassed a team-high seven tackles (five solo) and returned an interception 41 yards against Gardner-Webb – his second interception and third takeaway in the first three games of the season.
Demontrez Burroughs (SCSU) had six receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown in the Bulldogs’ loss to USF.
B.J. Davis (SCSU) led the Bulldogs with eight tackles and two tackles for a loss against USF.
Alex Taylor (SCSU) spearheaded a Bulldogs offense that amassed over 378 yards of total offense.
Courtesy: MEAC
