The 2017 MEAC Football Season is near its start. Last Season, North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T destroyed everyone in sight. Both teams ended with 9-3 records with NCCU losing in the Celebration Bowl and NCAT losing to Richmond in the first round of the FCS playoffs. This year, the scene is a little different and some teams can break out. The league is slowly getting more traction with help by NFL draft selections, help from ESPN, and better gameplay. Things will be interesting.
Pre-Season Poll
North Carolina Central was picked to win the conference from a poll by MEAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors. NCCU was the first school to win the conference with no Co-Champions since Bethune-Cookman in 2012. Coached by Jerry Mack, the Eagles have 8 games within their state of North Carolina. Despite the dominance, North Carolina A&T was closely voted to return to their MEAC Title Crown as well. The NCCU and NCAT rivalry will be hot once again as both teams top the preseason poll.
Projected Order of Finish
1. North Carolina Central (13)
2. North Carolina A&T State (5)
3. South Carolina State
4. Bethune-Cookman
5. Hampton (1)
6. Florida A&M
7. Norfolk State
8. Morgan State
9. Howard
10. Savannah State
11. Delaware State (1)
ESPN U TV Schedule
ESPN and the MEAC will continue their partnership on ESPN U. The schedule will end with the 3rd Annual Celebration Bowl in December. The schedule will start with the SWAC vs MEAC challenge on September 3rd. Most games will be Live on ESPN3 and rebroadcast on ESPN U on the same night.
| Sunday, Sept. 3 |
South Carolina State at Southern |
2:30 p.m. | ESPN2 (Live) |
| Thursday, Sept. 21 |
South Carolina State at North Carolina Central |
7:30 p.m. | ESPNU (Live) |
| Thursday, Sept. 28 |
North Carolina Central at Florida A&M |
7:30 p.m. | ESPNU (Live) |
| Friday, Oct. 6 |
Morgan State at South Carolina State |
7:30 p.m. | ESPNU (Live) |
| Saturday, Oct. 14 |
Hampton at Norfolk State |
2 p.m. | ESPN3 (Live)/ESPNU (10:30 p.m.) |
| Saturday, Oct. 21 |
Bethune-Cookman at North Carolina A&T State |
1 p.m. | ESPN3 (Live)/ESPNU (10:30 p.m.) |
| Saturday, Nov. 18 |
Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M |
2 p.m. | ESPN Classic (Live) |
| Saturday, Nov. 18 |
MEAC Wildcard (Game TBD depending on MEAC Standings) |
2 p.m. | ESPN3 (Live)/ESPNU (10:30 p.m.) |
| Saturday, Dec. 16 |
Celebration Bowl |
12 p.m. | ABC (Live) |
NFF and MEAC Partnership
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Football Hall of Fame will be partnering with the MEAC for the 2nd consecutive year. The 60th NFF Annual Awards Dinner will be held on Dec. 5 at the New York Hilton Midtown. The 2017 MEAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year will be revealed at the dinner.
“This is a historic moment for the MEAC as our continued partnership with the NFF is truly significant,” – MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas
The MEAC boasts 14 College Football Hall of Fame inductees, including Coach Earl Banks(Morgan State), Emerson Boozer (Maryland Eastern Shore), Roger Brown (Maryland Eastern Shore), Harry Carson (South Carolina State), Coach Jake Gaither (Florida A&M), Willie Galimore (Florida A&M), Coach Willie Jeffries (Howard, South Carolina State), Coach Billy Joe(Florida A&M), Willie Lanier (Morgan State), Coach Vernon “Skip” McCain (Maryland Eastern Shore), Tyrone McGriff (Florida A&M), Coach Doug Porter (Howard), Art Shell (Maryland Eastern Shore) and Donnie Shell (South Carolina State).
North Carolina A&T State running back Tarik Cohen (Offensive Player of the Year) and South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard (Defensive Player of the Year) were last year’s winners. Cohen was drafted by the Bears in the 2017 Draft.
Pre-Season All Conference Teams
Offensive Player of the Year: Anthony Philyaw, Howard
Defensive Player of the Year: Darius Leonard, South Carolina State
Anthony Philyaw and Darius Leonard highlights the Pre-Season Conference Teams. NCCU, SCSU, and NCCU were represented well on the Offensive and Defensive First Teams.
| FIRST TEAM OFFENSE | |||||
| QB | Lamar Raynard | Jr. | North Carolina A&T State | High Point, N.C. | |
| RB | Anthony Philyaw | Sr. | Howard | Los Angeles, Calif. | |
| RB* | Yahkee Johnson | Sr. | Hampton | Richmond, Va. | |
| RB* | Ramone Simpson | Jr. | N.C. Central | Wilmington, N.C. | |
| WR | Elijah Bell | So. | North Carolina A&T State | Wheeling, W. Va. | |
| WR* | Brandon Norwood | Sr. | Florida A&M | Atlanta, Ga. | |
| WR* | Frank Brown | Sr. | Bethune-Cookman | Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. | |
| TE | Leroy Hill | Jr. | North Carolina A&T State | Smithfield, N.C. | |
| C | Darriel Mack | Sr. | North Carolina A&T State | Clio, S.C. | |
| OL | Brandon Parker | Sr. | North Carolina A&T State | Kannapolis, N.C. | |
| OL | Nick Leverett | So. | N.C. Central | Concord, N.C. | |
| OL | Robbie Stephenson | Sr. | S.C. State | Fairburn, Ga. | |
| OL | Justin Evans | Sr. | S.C. State | Florence, S.C. | |
| PK | Uriel Hernandez | Jr. | Bethune-Cookman | Homestead, Fla. | |
| FIRST TEAM DEFENSE | |||||
| DL* | Kevin Thompson | R-Sr. | Bethune-Cookman | Baltimore, Md. | |
| DL* | Chris Lee | Sr. | Norfolk State | Woodbridge, Va. | |
| DL | Ja’Quan Smith | Gr. | N.C. Central | Miramar, Fla. | |
| DL | Antonio Brown | Sr. | N.C. Central | Jacksonville, Fla. | |
| LB | Darius Leonard | R-Sr. | S.C. State | Lake View, S.C. | |
| LB | Dayshawn Taylor | R-Sr. | S.C. State | Lincolnton, Ga. | |
| LB | Reggie Hunter | Sr. | N.C. Central | Henderson, N.C. | |
| DB | Alden McClellon | Jr. | N.C. Central | Lake Butler, Fla. | |
| DB* | Jason Baxter | Gr. | S.C. State | Manning, S.C. | |
| DB* | Diquan Richardson | Sr. | Bethune-Cookman | Alvin, S.C. | |
| DB | Zerius Lockhart | Sr. | North Carolina A&T State | Auburn, Ala. | |
| P | Nathaniel Tilque | Sr. | N.C. Central | Charlotte, N.C. | |
| RS | Khris Gardin | Sr. | North Carolina A&T State | Morganton, N.C. | |
For the 2nd and 3rd teams, click here
