Courtesy of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
NORFOLK, Va., October 30, 2023 – North Carolina Central quarterback Davius Richard was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Howard’s Erick Hunter earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, while South Carolina State’s Jawarn Howell was named Rookie of the Week. N.C. Central’s Torricelli Simpkins III and Morgan State’s Keith Jenkins Jr. received Lineman of the Week and Specialist of the Week accolades, respectively.
Richard (QB, 6-3, 220, Sr., Belle Glade, Fla.) amassed 378 yards of total offense and was responsible for seven touchdowns in N.C. Central’s 68-28 win over South Carolina State. He passed for 352 yards, connecting on 18-of-27 passes and five touchdowns. He also rushed five times for 26 yards with two more scores. Richard became the second Eagle in NCCU history to account for more than 100 career touchdowns, now sitting with 101 (63 passes, 38 rush).
Hunter (LB, 6-4, 210, Jr., Capitol Heights, Md.)picked off a pass and returned it for a 60-yard score in the final quarter of the Bear’s win over Norfolk State. He also collected three solo tackles and registered a pass break-up in Morgan State’s comeback victory.
Howell (RB, 6-2, 215, Fr., Mooresville, N.C.)recorded his third-straight 100-yard rushing game for the Bulldogs, finishing with 126 yards on nine carries and one touchdown against tenth-ranked N.C. Central.
Kenneth Jenkins, Jr. (RS/RB, 6-1. 185, So., Gainesville, Va.) helped sparked the Bears to close the gap when he returned a kickoff for a 90-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Bear’s win over Norfolk State. The score was the third kickoff return for a touchdown of his career. He finished the contest with four kickoff returns for 158 yards (39.5 avg.).
Simpkins III (OL, 6-4, 320, Jr., Charlotte, N.C.)recorded a blocking grade of 90 percent with seven pancake blocks, playing both center and guard position as the Eagles accumulated 482 offensive yards against South Carolina State. His efforts contributed to 62 points, the most ever scored against an MEAC opponent.
Other Top Performers
Aaron Bickerton (Howard) made a season-long 39-yard field goal while downing a punt inside the 20 yard line against Delaware State.
Kasey Hawthorne (Howard) had a career-high eight catches for 107 yards, including a 44-yards TD reception, in a road win at Delaware State.
Ray Williams (Howard) finished with a team-leading four tackles, three solos, and the game clinching interception in a win over Delaware State.
J.J. Davis (Morgan State) recorded a season-high 113 yards on 13 carries against Norfolk State.
R.J. Coles (Norfolk State) registered nine tackles, seven solo, with 3.0 for a loss of 15 yards and one forced fumble against Morgan State.
Baron Franks (Norfolk State) led the Spartans’ offensive line that amassed 343 yards of total offense, including 188 yards passing and 155 yards on the ground.
Kevon King (Norfolk State) recorded three touchdowns, with two on the ground and one reception in a loss to Morgan State.
A.J. Richardson (Norfolk State) collected seven tackles, two solo, with 1.5 for a loss of one yard, including one sack for one yard.
Kole Jones (N.C. Central) forced a fumble and collected six tackles, four solo, including one takedown for a loss against S.C. State.
Romeo Stancil (N.C. Central) recovered a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown and registered a solo tackle on kickoff coverage against S.C. State.
