OFFENSE – RB Donald Babers of Prairie View A&M; 5-9, 170 JR, Houston, TXÂ – Babers carried 27 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-14 win over Texas Southern. Babers had TD runs of 9 and 6 yards in the first half in leading the Panthers to their 5th consecutive season opening win.
DEFENSE – LB Marcellus Speaks, Jackson State; 6-2, 230 SR, Jackson, MS - Speaks posted 12 tackles (four for loss) and had two forced fumbles in the Tigers’ 17-13 loss to Hampton in the 4th MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Speaks was also named Jackson State’s Most Outstanding Player of the Game.
SPECIALIST – RS Clarence Cotten, Mississippi Valley State..5-10, 190 SR D’Iberville, MS – Cotten averaged 18.5 yards on four punt returns in Delta Devils’ 38-0 win over Texas College. He had punt returns of 16, 20, 23, and 15 yards. Cotten’s 16 and 23-yard returns set up a pair of touchdowns.
NEWCOMER – RB Kenneth Batiste, Grambling State….5-9, 175 R-Freshman, Lafayette, LA – Batiste caught six passes for 95 yards and one touchdown in the Tigers’ season-opening loss at Nevada. Batiste led all players in receiving yards and had Grambling’s longest play, a 59-yard reception in the third quarter.
Congratulation Donny Babers, & the Panthers on your win. I have to come check you out. I will get your schedule & get with your Mom & Dad and hook up with them. hope you all have safe, and successful year. Keep up the good work & stay in the books as well. B. Moe’s Dad. May God continue to be with you and the team. Have a good year fellas.