Category: MEAC

From Morgan State to the Patriots: Erick Hunter’s HBCU Journey Continues

Brandon King

After spending his entire college career at Morgan State, Hunter has officially earned another opportunity at the NFL level. The linebacker signed with the New England Patriots and is now on the team’s 53-man roster after previously signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in May 2026. (Pats Pulpit⁠) But Hunter’s NFL opportunity didn’t come out of nowhere. A dominant career at Morgan State Hunter arrived at Morgan State in 2021 and developed into one of the most productive defensive players in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).…

Read More

2026 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Draws 1.2 Million Viewers, Becomes Second-Most-Watched in Event History

Brandon King

The 2026 MEAC/SWAC Challenge continues to show the growing national audience for HBCU football. Howard University’s thrilling matchup against Alabama A&M averaged 1.2 million viewers on ABC, with the broadcast peaking at 1.7 million viewers. The impressive audience represents a 10% year-over-year increase and makes the 2026 MEAC/SWAC Challenge the second-most-watched kickoff game in the event’s history. Howard ultimately delivered on the national stage, defeating Alabama A&M 31-24 in a dramatic finish at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta. The matchup marked the opening of the 2026 HBCU football season and…

Read More

Norfolk State Blitzes Winston-Salem State 56-0 in Dominant Season Opener

Brandon King

Image via The Winston-Salem Journal Norfolk State opened the 2026 football season with a statement. The Spartans overwhelmed Winston-Salem State from start to finish Saturday night, cruising to a 56-0 victory in their season opener behind a dominant offensive performance and a suffocating defensive effort. The victory gave head coach Michael Vick an emphatic start to his second season at the helm and marked Norfolk State’s first shutout since 2019. The Spartans also recorded their first 50-point performance since 2021. Norfolk State wasted little time establishing control. Quarterback Deljay Bailey…

Read More

Howard Scores Late TD to Claim MEAC/SWAC Challenge, 31-24, Over Alabama A&M

Brandon King

Howard opened the 2026 HBCU football season with a thrilling comeback victory, defeating Alabama A&M 31-24 Saturday night in the 20th Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta. The Bison overcame a second-half rally by the Bulldogs and scored the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter to escape with the victory. Howard quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins delivered a career-best performance, completing 19 of 36 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns while adding 49 yards on the ground. Howard Takes Early Control The Bison jumped out to a…

Read More

South Carolina State Blasts Savannah State 87-0 Behind Explosive First Half

Brandon King

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State opened the season with an emphatic 87-0 victory over Savannah State. The Bulldogs scored 21 points in the first quarter. Quarterback Keely Watson threw touchdown passes to Malaqhi Jones from 23 yards and Mason Pickett-Hicks from 9 yards, while Ronnie Robinson added a 30-yard touchdown run. SC State added 31 points in the second quarter to take a 52-0 halftime lead, emphatically slamming the door on the competitive portion of the evening’s festivities. Watson connected with Tyler Smith for his third touchdown pass, Zaivan…

Read More

HBCU Football Is Back: 2026 Week Zero Schedule

Brandon King

The wait is finally over as HBCU programs across the country take the field for Week Zero of the 2026 college football season. The opening slate features teams from the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC and other HBCU conferences, with several intriguing matchups scheduled throughout the weekend. From conference showdowns to nonconference tests, Week Zero gives fans an early look at some of the teams looking to make a run in 2026. 🏈 HBCU Week Zero Schedule Thursday, Aug. 27 Friday, Aug. 28 Saturday, Aug. 29 Sunday, Aug. 30 All times…

Read More

Michael Vick names Week 0 starter

Brandon King

Image via Billy Scheurman/ The Virginian-Pilot The Norfolk State Spartans have identified their starting quarterback for their season-opening matchup against Winston-Salem on Saturday evening.  On Monday’s MEAC Football Coaches Media Call, Spartans’ head coach Michael Vick let it be known that Deljay Bailey will be under center.  Although junior signal caller Reginal Johnson (Jr. – San Diego, CA) was one of the players who represented Norfolk State at MEAC Media Day, Coach Vick said it was an open competition at every position and there were no set starters.  “Unfortunately, right…

Read More

Norfolk State’s Jaylen Williams and Ryan Nolan Named to 2026 Deacon Jones Player of the Year Watch List

Brandon King

image via Norfolk State Athletics NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State will enter the 2026 football season with two of its veteran linemen on the national radar. Redshirt seniors Jaylen Williams and Ryan Nolan have been named to the 2026 Deacon Jones Player of the Year Watch List, announced by the Black College Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 18. The award recognizes the most outstanding football player at a Historically Black College or University, with the eventual winner receiving the prestigious Deacon Jones Trophy. The Spartans are one of 24…

Read More

Rod Broadway Named to 2027 MEAC Hall of Fame Class

Brandon King

Former North Carolina A&T football head coach Rod Broadway is officially headed to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. The MEAC announced that Broadway will be part of its 2027 Hall of Fame class, giving one of the most accomplished coaches in North Carolina A&T history another well-deserved honor. Broadway became a major figure in HBCU football during his time on the sidelines in Greensboro, building the Aggies into one of the MEAC’s premier programs. During his tenure at North Carolina A&T, Broadway helped establish a championship culture that…

Read More

Spartans Edge LBP White All-Stars, 82-81, in San Juan Shootout

Brandon King

Image via Jaymonte McLeod/NSU Athletics The Norfolk State Spartans bounced back in dramatic fashion Thursday night, edging the LBP White All-Stars 82-81 in their second game of the San Juan Shootout in Manatí, Puerto Rico. The victory evened the Spartans’ exhibition record at 1-1 after Wednesday’s narrow 79-77 loss to the LBP Blue All-Stars. Despite committing 22 turnovers that resulted in 25 points for the LBP White All-Stars, Norfolk State found a way to grind out the victory behind another stellar offensive performance from Anthony McComb. McComb poured in a…

Read More