Tag: MEAC Football

South Carolina State Defeats FAMU 31-13 in Orange Blossom Classic

Brandon King

Image via the Tallahassee Democrat MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — South Carolina State made a statement on one of HBCU football’s biggest stages Sunday, overpowering Florida A&M 31-13 in the Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium. The No. 22 Bulldogs improved to 2-0 behind a dominant rushing attack and a defense that made life miserable for the Rattlers throughout the afternoon. South Carolina State finished with 479 total yards, including 292 on the ground, while limiting Florida A&M to just 161 total yards and minus-1 rushing yard. The Bulldogs also…

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South Carolina State Climbs to No. 22 in AFCA FCS Coaches Poll After 87-0 Week Zero Rout

Brandon King

image via South Carolina State Athletics South Carolina State Is Making Noise South Carolina State has wasted no time making a statement in the 2026 college football season. After an emphatic 87-0 shutout victory in Week Zero, the Bulldogs have moved up to No. 22 in the latest AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. The jump puts South Carolina State firmly among the nation’s ranked FCS programs and gives the Bulldogs plenty of momentum heading into the rest of the season. An 87-0 Statement South Carolina State’s opening-week performance was about as…

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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…

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Delaware State Survives Stony Brook Rally After Wild Momentum Swings, Wins 41-34

Brandon King

DOVER, Del. — Delaware State survived a furious Stony Brook comeback Thursday night, turning a wild season opener into a 41-34 victory after the Hornets watched a 25-point lead disappear. The game featured multiple momentum swings, but Delaware State’s first major run put the Hornets firmly in control. After Stony Brook grabbed an early 6-0 advantage, Delaware State responded by scoring 24 unanswered points, turning the deficit into a 24-6 lead. The Hornets continued to pour it on and eventually pushed their advantage to 31-6, building what appeared to be…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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South Carolina State Favored to Repeat as MEAC Champion in 2026 Preseason Poll

Brandon King

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has released its 2026 preseason football poll and preseason all-conference teams, with South Carolina State entering the season as the favorite to defend its conference crown. The Bulldogs received 49 points and five first-place votes to claim the top spot in the preseason predicted order of finish. North Carolina Central finished second with 42 points and one first-place vote, while Delaware State garnered 40 points and two first-place votes, setting up what could be a tightly contested race atop the conference standings. Morgan State was…

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South Carolina State, Johnson C. Smith Headline Inaugural 2026 Preseason Black College Football Poll

Brandon King

Defending HBCU champions South Carolina State and Johnson C. Smith have been voted No. 1 in the inaugural 2026 Preseason Black College Football Poll, making history as the first programs to top the newly established national rankings. The poll, which is endorsed by the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA and SIAC, provides an official weekly ranking of HBCU football programs across NCAA Division I (FCS) and Division II. The rankings are determined by a panel of HBCU head coaches and media members and are designed to become the definitive benchmark for Black…

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