Courtesy of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
All six Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) football programs are in action this week, the first full slate of the 2024 college football season, with defending champion Howard kicking things off on Thursday night.
Here is a glimpse at this week’s contests.
Howard Bison (0-0, 0-0 MEAC) vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0-0, 0-0 Big 10)
Thursday, Aug. 29 | SHI Stadium | Piscataway, NJ | 6:00 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports App/Big Ten Network | Live Stats
The Bison are coming off a strong 2023 season, where they finished 4-1 in MEAC play and secured the conference championship outright after being co-champions in 2022. Their success earned them a spot in the Cricket Celebration Bowl against Florida A&M. Head coach Larry Scott, now entering his fifth season, leads Howard into the 2024 campaign, which kicks off on Thursday with a matchup at Rutgers University. MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Kenny Gallop Jr., returns for his graduate year, bolstering the Bison’s defense. On the offensive side, Jarett Hunter, who also earned MEAC preseason honors as the Offensive Player of the Year, will be a key player to watch. Rutgers, coming off a 7-6 season that culminated in a 31-24 victory over the University of Miami in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl, enters its 16th season under head coach Greg Schiano. The Scarlet Knights hold a 2-0 all-time record against Howard, with their most recent victory in 2016, when they defeated the Bison 52-14.
Delaware State Hornets (0-0, 0-0 MEAC) vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers (0-0, 0-0, Independent)
Saturday, Aug. 31 | Campus Field | Fairfield, Conn. | 6:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN+ | Live Stats
Delaware State returns stateside this weekend after a tough 35-14 loss in Hawai’i. The Hornets managed to gain 260 total yards on offense, with 156 yards through the air and 104 on the ground. Ryan Lee and Jaden Sutton led the receiving efforts, combining for 91 yards on five catches. Sutton also paced the rushing attack, contributing 56 yards and a touchdown. The Pioneers of Sacred Heart are starting the season as an independent program, having departed from the NEC. Sacred Heart is coming off a challenging 2023 season in which they finished 2-9, with victories over Saint Francis and Central Connecticut State. Head coach Mark Nofri begins his 13th season at the helm. Saturday’s game marks the first-ever meeting between Delaware State and Sacred Heart.
Norfolk State Spartans (0-1, 0-0 MEAC) vs. East Carolina Pirates (0-0, 0-0 American)
Saturday, Aug. 31 | Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium | Greenville, N.C. | 6:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN+ | Live Stats
Norfolk State enters the weekend following a heartbreaking one-point loss to Florida A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The Spartans showcased a strong running game on the national stage, with Kevon King rushing for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Transfer quarterback Jalen Daniels also made an impact, throwing for 142 yards while completing 7-of-9 passes. East Carolina kicks off the 2024 season under the leadership of sixth-year head coach Mike Houston. The Pirates were predicted to finish tied for seventh with Rice in the American Athletic Conference’s preseason poll, following a challenging 2023 season in which they went 2-10, with victories over Gardner-Webb and Florida Atlantic. Saturday’s contest marks the first-ever meeting between Norfolk State and East Carolina on the gridiron.
Morgan State Bears (0-0, 0-0 MEAC) vs. Hampton Pirates (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Saturday, Aug. 31 | Armstrong Stadium | Hampton, Va. | 6 p.m.
TV: FloFootball | Live Stats
The Bears enter their third season under head coach Damon Wilson. MSU will a familiar foe as they face Hampton University in Virginia. Morgan State was picked to finish third in the MEAC’s predicted order of finish after a 4-6 overall record and a 3-2 conference mark last season, which included an impressive season-opening victory at Richmond, a team that finished in the FCS top-25 rankings. Several Bears players have earned preseason watchlist honors, including linebacker Erick Hunter and defensive lineman Elijah Williams. Sophomore quarterback Tahj Smith, who played in five games last season, amassing 426 yards and three touchdown passes, will lead Morgan State into battle. The Pirates enter the 2024 season predicted to finish 12th in the CAA under interim head coach Trent Boykin. Hampton finished 5-6 overall and 3-5 in the CAA in 2023. Senior running back Elijah Burris, who rushed for 814 yards in just seven games last season, will be a key player for the Pirates. Morgan State leads the all-time series with a 38-26-2 record.
South Carolina State Bulldogs (0-0, 0-0 MEAC) vs. Florida A&M Rattlers (1-0, 0-0 SWAC)
Saturday, Aug. 31 | Bragg Memorial Stadium | Tallahassee, Florida | 6:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN+ | Live Stats
South Carolina State enters the season with a new head coach, Chennis Berry, who takes over for the former Dean of the MEAC, legendary Oliver “Buddy” Pough. The Bulldogs will travel to Tallahassee, Florida, to face the Rattlers, fresh off a 24-23 victory over Norfolk State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Returning for South Carolina State is All-MEAC Offensive Lineman Nick Taiste, who has earned recognition on several preseason watch lists. Joining Taiste on offense are fellow All-MEAC preseason honorees Cam Johnson (OL), Eric Brown Jr. (OL), Justin Smith-Brown (WR), and Keshawn Toney (TE). Florida A&M leads the all-time series against South Carolina State with a 34-23 record. The Rattlers are in their first season under head coach James Cozie III, who secured his first win last weekend against Norfolk State. Quarterback Daniel Richardson was named the BOXTOROW HBCU National Player of the Week after earning MVP honors in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Richardson led the Rattlers to victory with an impressive performance, completing 22 of 30 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 32 rushing yards on three carries.
North Carolina Central Eagles (0-0, 0-0 MEAC) vs. Alabama State Hornets (0-0, 0-0 SWAC) – Orange Blossom Classic
Sunday, Sept. 1 | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, Fla. | 3 p.m.
TV: ESPN | Live Stats
North Carolina Central kicks off the 2024 season on Sunday, September 1, against Alabama State in the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Eagles will be without their All-American quarterback, Davius Richard, for the first time since 2019, creating a significant void at the play-caller position. Despite this challenge, NCCU, under the leadership of sixth-year head coach Trei Oliver, enters the season as the preseason favorite in the MEAC’s predicted order of finish. This comes on the heels of a successful 2023 campaign, where they posted a 9-3 record and earned an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs, facing the University of Richmond. Alabama State, coming off a 7-4 season in 2023, enters the new season as the top pick in the SWAC East division according to the preseason coaches poll. The Hornets boast eight players on the All-SWAC preseason team, including six first-team selections, five of whom are on defense. Sunday’s matchup will mark the first-ever meeting between North Carolina Central and Alabama State.
