Post by aggierattler on Aug 23, 2015 10:19:03 GMT -5
From STATS: www.fcs.football/cfb/story.asp?i=20150822122228620046004
MEAC Preview: League looks to 'celebrate' another competitive race
By CRAIG HALEY
STATS FCS Senior Editor
(STATS) - The five-way tie for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title last season was so unique that everyone is still astounded by it.
And perhaps thinking, if this just went differently or that went differently …
"It means that our league is evening out. I think it's a good thing," said South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough, whose team was in the middle of it.
But Pough also realizes, "We don't need to have it again (he laughs). We need to kind of win this thing straight up."
The coaches at Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central and Morgan State probably share Pough's sentiments. All five teams laid claim to the title, but Morgan State won the tiebreaker to earn the conference's automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.
The five teams again formed the top five in the MEAC's preseason poll, so the race could be similar this season. What's different is that the conference has decided to surrender its automatic bid in the playoffs to have its champion face the Southwestern Athletic Conference winner in the newly created Celebration Bowl. The inaugural game will take place Dec. 19 in Atlanta.
The top MEAC teams not headed to the Celebration Bowl will be eligible for at-large bids to the playoffs, which last year eluded two teams with nine wins (Bethune and A&T) and South Carolina State's eight-win squad.
A MEAC team hasn't won a playoff game since 1999, so the Celebration Bowl offers not only a more lucrative payout, but also a more reasonable chance for a win. The MEAC owns a 7-2 series lead over the SWAC in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge, played each Labor Day Weekend. On Sept. 6, South Carolina State hope to become the first three-time winner in the series.
---
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. North Carolina A&T
2. South Carolina State
3. Morgan State
4. North Carolina Central
5. Bethune-Cookman
6. Florida A&M
7. Hampton
8. Norfolk State
9. Howard
10. Delaware State
11. Savannah State
---
TEAM CAPSULES
1. NORTH CAROLINA A&T AGGIES
LOCATION: Greensboro, North Carolina
STADIUM: Aggie Stadium
COACH: Rod Broadway (28-17 in four seasons at North Carolina A&T; 96-40 overall)
LAST SEASON: 9-3 overall, 6-2 MEAC (Tie/1st)
STARTERS RETURNING: 14 (6 offense/8 defense)
KEY LOSSES: WR Desmond Lawrence, C Ronald Canty, LG William Ray Robinson, LB D'Vonte Grant, CB Donald Mattocks
OFFENSIVE STAR: Tarik Cohen, RB, Jr., 5-6, 173 (197 carries, 1,340 yards, 15 TDs; 25 receptions, 237 yards, 1 TD)
DEFENSIVE STAR: Tony McRae, CB/KR, Sr., 5-9, 178 (62 TT, 2 TFL, 5 INTs, 11 PBU)
OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Kwashaun Quick, QB, Sr., 6-0, 188; Lamar Raynard, QB, R-Fr., 6-4, 174; Denzel Keyes, WR, Jr., 6-4, 200; Xavier Griffin, Jr., WR, 6-1, 201; Caleb Gabriel, R-So., WR, 5-9, 165; Wes Cole, RG, Jr., 6-6, 335; Brandon Parker, LT, R-So., 6-7, 280; Michael Neal, DT, Sr., 5-11, 260; Marquis Ragland, NG, R-Jr., 6-3, 271; Angelo Keyes, DE, R-Jr., 6-1, 263; Denzel Jones, MLB, Sr., 5-9, 244; Marcus Albert, OLB, R-So., 5-10, 200; Lorenz Suttles, Rover, Jr., 6-2, 187; Landis Shoffner, Rover, Sr., 6-0, 186; Zerius Lockhart, FS, R-So., 5-10, 174; Cody Jones, PK/P, 5-11, 241
OUTLOOK: Broadway says it's painful to look back at how an outright MEAC title slipped away from the Aggies on the final day of the 2014 regular season, but nonetheless the Aggies earned a share of the conference crown and won nine games. They believe they have unfinished business for 2015. It helps to have lightning in RB Cohen, the MEAC's 2014 co-offensive player of the year, and WRs Gabriel and Keyes. Cohen's 1,340 rushing yards marked the second-highest total in school history. The Aggies even return their starting quarterback, Quick, who was dismissed from the team following an offseason arrest but later reinstated to the program. There is a standout in each of the three defensive units - NG Ragland, LB Shoffner (team-high 86 tackles) and CB McRae, who had an impressive 16 passes defended last season. The big loss is pass rusher Grant. But with a veteran team coming off last season's disappointing end, the Aggies are motivated to have another banner season. Their visit to North Carolina on Sept. 12 is their first FBS matchup since 2006.
SCHEDULE:
Sept. 5 - vs. Shaw
Sept. 12 - at North Carolina
Sept. 19 - at Elon
Oct. 3 - at Hampton*
Oct. 10 - at Norfolk State*
Oct. 17 - vs. Bethune-Cookman*
Oct. 24 - vs. Howard*
Oct. 31 - at Florida A&M*
Nov. 7 - at South Carolina State*
Nov. 14 - vs. Delaware State*
Nov. 21 - vs. North Carolina Central*
* - MEAC game
---
2. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE BULLDOGS
LOCATION: Orangeburg, South Carolina
STADIUM: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium
COACH: Buddy Pough (105-47 in 13 seasons at South Carolina State)
LAST SEASON: 8-4 overall, 6-2 MEAC (Tie/1st)
STARTERS RETURNING: 17 (9 offense/8 defense)
KEY LOSSES: OL Domanic Wilson, OL Devin Flowers, DE Alex Glover, DE Andrew Carter, LB Justin Hughes
OFFENSIVE STAR: Jalen Simmons, RB, Sr., 5-8, 205 (209 carries, 1,082 yards, 9 TDs)
DEFENSIVE STAR: Javon Hargrave, DL, Sr., 6-3, 311 (55 TT, 23.5 TFL, 16 SK, 2 PBU, 8 QBH, 1 FR, 3 FF)
OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Adrian Kollock Jr., QB, R-Jr., 6-2, 202; Justin Taylor RB, R-Jr., 5-10, 215; Dondre Lewis-Freeman, RB, R-Sr., 5-7, 195; Taquan West, WR, Sr., 6-4, 210; Temarrick Hemingway, TE, Grad, 6-5, 225; Javarius Leamon, OL, R-Jr., 6-7, 310; Justin Evans, OL, R-So., 6-5, 310; James Settles, DL, R-Sr., 6-1, 225; Darius Leonard, LB, R-So., 6-3, 200; Reggie Owens, LB, Sr., 6-2, 215; Tevin Richard, LB, R-Sr., 5-11, 200; Tyler Smith, DB, R-Jr., 6-1, 215; Chris Pauling, DB, Sr., 5-10, 185; Antonio Hamilton, DB/PR, R-Sr., 6-0, 185
OUTLOOK: Pough has captured six MEAC titles and posted an 81-22 career record against conference opponents. With 17 returning starters this year, he's pointing toward adding to the totals considerably. The Bulldogs' Nov. 7 game against North Carolina A&T will go a long way in deciding the MEAC title. Although there were key losses in the front seven, the defense has a special player in Hargrave, who set the FCS single-game record with six sacks en route to having 16 as a junior. LB Leonard had a team-high 87 tackles as well as 13 1/2 tackles for loss as a freshman. The quarterback play needs consistency as Kollock (96-for-176, 1,244 yards, 7 TDs, 7 INTs) lacked rhythm while the Bulldogs ranked 115th in the FCS in passing offense. But Simmons rushed for over 1,000 yards, and Taylor, who played hurt, are a formidable duo. The special teams were a curiosity last season: Hamilton had a ridiculous 25.6-yard average on 15 punt returns with two touchdowns, but the Bulldogs made only one field goal in seven attempts outside 30 yards. The Bulldogs have early spotlights against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge followed by a visit from FCS power Coastal Carolina.
SCHEDULE:
Sept. 6 - vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (at Orlando, Florida)
Sept. 12 - vs. Coastal Carolina
Sept. 19 - vs. Florida A&M*
Oct. 3 - at Furman
Oct. 10 - at Bethune-Cookman*
Oct. 17 - vs. Howard*
Oct. 24 - at Delaware State*
Oct. 31 - vs. Hampton*
Nov. 7 - vs. North Carolina A&T*
Nov. 14 - at Norfolk State*
Nov. 21 - at Savannah State*
* - MEAC game
---
(Click on the link at the top for the detailed team capsules for the other MEAC teams.)
MEAC Preview: League looks to 'celebrate' another competitive race
By CRAIG HALEY
STATS FCS Senior Editor
(STATS) - The five-way tie for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title last season was so unique that everyone is still astounded by it.
And perhaps thinking, if this just went differently or that went differently …
"It means that our league is evening out. I think it's a good thing," said South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough, whose team was in the middle of it.
But Pough also realizes, "We don't need to have it again (he laughs). We need to kind of win this thing straight up."
The coaches at Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central and Morgan State probably share Pough's sentiments. All five teams laid claim to the title, but Morgan State won the tiebreaker to earn the conference's automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.
The five teams again formed the top five in the MEAC's preseason poll, so the race could be similar this season. What's different is that the conference has decided to surrender its automatic bid in the playoffs to have its champion face the Southwestern Athletic Conference winner in the newly created Celebration Bowl. The inaugural game will take place Dec. 19 in Atlanta.
The top MEAC teams not headed to the Celebration Bowl will be eligible for at-large bids to the playoffs, which last year eluded two teams with nine wins (Bethune and A&T) and South Carolina State's eight-win squad.
A MEAC team hasn't won a playoff game since 1999, so the Celebration Bowl offers not only a more lucrative payout, but also a more reasonable chance for a win. The MEAC owns a 7-2 series lead over the SWAC in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge, played each Labor Day Weekend. On Sept. 6, South Carolina State hope to become the first three-time winner in the series.
---
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. North Carolina A&T
2. South Carolina State
3. Morgan State
4. North Carolina Central
5. Bethune-Cookman
6. Florida A&M
7. Hampton
8. Norfolk State
9. Howard
10. Delaware State
11. Savannah State
---
TEAM CAPSULES
1. NORTH CAROLINA A&T AGGIES
LOCATION: Greensboro, North Carolina
STADIUM: Aggie Stadium
COACH: Rod Broadway (28-17 in four seasons at North Carolina A&T; 96-40 overall)
LAST SEASON: 9-3 overall, 6-2 MEAC (Tie/1st)
STARTERS RETURNING: 14 (6 offense/8 defense)
KEY LOSSES: WR Desmond Lawrence, C Ronald Canty, LG William Ray Robinson, LB D'Vonte Grant, CB Donald Mattocks
OFFENSIVE STAR: Tarik Cohen, RB, Jr., 5-6, 173 (197 carries, 1,340 yards, 15 TDs; 25 receptions, 237 yards, 1 TD)
DEFENSIVE STAR: Tony McRae, CB/KR, Sr., 5-9, 178 (62 TT, 2 TFL, 5 INTs, 11 PBU)
OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Kwashaun Quick, QB, Sr., 6-0, 188; Lamar Raynard, QB, R-Fr., 6-4, 174; Denzel Keyes, WR, Jr., 6-4, 200; Xavier Griffin, Jr., WR, 6-1, 201; Caleb Gabriel, R-So., WR, 5-9, 165; Wes Cole, RG, Jr., 6-6, 335; Brandon Parker, LT, R-So., 6-7, 280; Michael Neal, DT, Sr., 5-11, 260; Marquis Ragland, NG, R-Jr., 6-3, 271; Angelo Keyes, DE, R-Jr., 6-1, 263; Denzel Jones, MLB, Sr., 5-9, 244; Marcus Albert, OLB, R-So., 5-10, 200; Lorenz Suttles, Rover, Jr., 6-2, 187; Landis Shoffner, Rover, Sr., 6-0, 186; Zerius Lockhart, FS, R-So., 5-10, 174; Cody Jones, PK/P, 5-11, 241
OUTLOOK: Broadway says it's painful to look back at how an outright MEAC title slipped away from the Aggies on the final day of the 2014 regular season, but nonetheless the Aggies earned a share of the conference crown and won nine games. They believe they have unfinished business for 2015. It helps to have lightning in RB Cohen, the MEAC's 2014 co-offensive player of the year, and WRs Gabriel and Keyes. Cohen's 1,340 rushing yards marked the second-highest total in school history. The Aggies even return their starting quarterback, Quick, who was dismissed from the team following an offseason arrest but later reinstated to the program. There is a standout in each of the three defensive units - NG Ragland, LB Shoffner (team-high 86 tackles) and CB McRae, who had an impressive 16 passes defended last season. The big loss is pass rusher Grant. But with a veteran team coming off last season's disappointing end, the Aggies are motivated to have another banner season. Their visit to North Carolina on Sept. 12 is their first FBS matchup since 2006.
SCHEDULE:
Sept. 5 - vs. Shaw
Sept. 12 - at North Carolina
Sept. 19 - at Elon
Oct. 3 - at Hampton*
Oct. 10 - at Norfolk State*
Oct. 17 - vs. Bethune-Cookman*
Oct. 24 - vs. Howard*
Oct. 31 - at Florida A&M*
Nov. 7 - at South Carolina State*
Nov. 14 - vs. Delaware State*
Nov. 21 - vs. North Carolina Central*
* - MEAC game
---
2. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE BULLDOGS
LOCATION: Orangeburg, South Carolina
STADIUM: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium
COACH: Buddy Pough (105-47 in 13 seasons at South Carolina State)
LAST SEASON: 8-4 overall, 6-2 MEAC (Tie/1st)
STARTERS RETURNING: 17 (9 offense/8 defense)
KEY LOSSES: OL Domanic Wilson, OL Devin Flowers, DE Alex Glover, DE Andrew Carter, LB Justin Hughes
OFFENSIVE STAR: Jalen Simmons, RB, Sr., 5-8, 205 (209 carries, 1,082 yards, 9 TDs)
DEFENSIVE STAR: Javon Hargrave, DL, Sr., 6-3, 311 (55 TT, 23.5 TFL, 16 SK, 2 PBU, 8 QBH, 1 FR, 3 FF)
OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Adrian Kollock Jr., QB, R-Jr., 6-2, 202; Justin Taylor RB, R-Jr., 5-10, 215; Dondre Lewis-Freeman, RB, R-Sr., 5-7, 195; Taquan West, WR, Sr., 6-4, 210; Temarrick Hemingway, TE, Grad, 6-5, 225; Javarius Leamon, OL, R-Jr., 6-7, 310; Justin Evans, OL, R-So., 6-5, 310; James Settles, DL, R-Sr., 6-1, 225; Darius Leonard, LB, R-So., 6-3, 200; Reggie Owens, LB, Sr., 6-2, 215; Tevin Richard, LB, R-Sr., 5-11, 200; Tyler Smith, DB, R-Jr., 6-1, 215; Chris Pauling, DB, Sr., 5-10, 185; Antonio Hamilton, DB/PR, R-Sr., 6-0, 185
OUTLOOK: Pough has captured six MEAC titles and posted an 81-22 career record against conference opponents. With 17 returning starters this year, he's pointing toward adding to the totals considerably. The Bulldogs' Nov. 7 game against North Carolina A&T will go a long way in deciding the MEAC title. Although there were key losses in the front seven, the defense has a special player in Hargrave, who set the FCS single-game record with six sacks en route to having 16 as a junior. LB Leonard had a team-high 87 tackles as well as 13 1/2 tackles for loss as a freshman. The quarterback play needs consistency as Kollock (96-for-176, 1,244 yards, 7 TDs, 7 INTs) lacked rhythm while the Bulldogs ranked 115th in the FCS in passing offense. But Simmons rushed for over 1,000 yards, and Taylor, who played hurt, are a formidable duo. The special teams were a curiosity last season: Hamilton had a ridiculous 25.6-yard average on 15 punt returns with two touchdowns, but the Bulldogs made only one field goal in seven attempts outside 30 yards. The Bulldogs have early spotlights against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge followed by a visit from FCS power Coastal Carolina.
SCHEDULE:
Sept. 6 - vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (at Orlando, Florida)
Sept. 12 - vs. Coastal Carolina
Sept. 19 - vs. Florida A&M*
Oct. 3 - at Furman
Oct. 10 - at Bethune-Cookman*
Oct. 17 - vs. Howard*
Oct. 24 - at Delaware State*
Oct. 31 - vs. Hampton*
Nov. 7 - vs. North Carolina A&T*
Nov. 14 - at Norfolk State*
Nov. 21 - at Savannah State*
* - MEAC game
---
(Click on the link at the top for the detailed team capsules for the other MEAC teams.)
