Courtesy of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
A pair of historic rivalries highlight the fourth week of MEAC Football in the Battle of the Real HU and the Aggie/Eagle Classic. Norfolk State gets the action started on the road at VMI, while Howard faces Hampton in the Truth & Service Classic at Audi Field. Delaware State, Morgan State, and North Carolina Central are all home in non-conference action this week.
WEEKLY NOTES | COACHES CONFERENCE
Here is a glimpse at this week’s contests.
Norfolk State Spartans (1-3, 0-0 MEAC) at Virginia Military Institute Keydets (0-3, 0-0 SoCon)
Saturday, September 21 | Foster Stadium | Lexington, VA | 1:30 PM
TV: ESPN+ | Live Stats
The Spartans enter week four on the heels of a tough 37-7 loss to the Hampton Pirates in the 65th edition of the “Battle of the Bay”. On defense, linebackers AJ Richardson and Terique Miles stood out combining for 22 total tackles. Wide receiver Jahee Blake recorded Norfolk State’s only score of the game, a 26-yard touchdown catch that capped a nine-play, 82-yard drive. The Keydets are still searching for their first win of the 2024 season after dropping the first three games, including a 59-7 loss to Georgia Tech at Hyundai Field in Atlanta, GA. Ironically, both teams struggled offensively last week registering 104 total yards of offense a piece. Saturday’s game marks the third meeting between the two teams, and the first in 18 years. The series tied at 1-1, as the Spartans won the last meeting in 2006, 32-19. MEAC teams are 2-0 over SoCon programs in the last two seasons.
Howard Bison (2-1, 0-0 MEAC) vs. Hampton Pirates (2-1, 0-0 CAA)
Saturday, September 21 | Audi Field | Washington, DC | 4:00 PM
Truth & Service Classic
TV: Monumental Sports Network
Howard enters the weekend riding a 35-21 victory over Division II opponent Morehouse College in the HBCU NYC Classic held at MetLife Stadium. Quarterback Jaylon Tolbert garnered MEAC Offensive Player of the Week accolades after leading the Bison with 267 yards on 23 of 41 passing attempts and a career-high four touchdowns to four different receivers. Running back Jarett Hunter led the ground game with 92 yards on 17 carries, while wide receiver Richie Ilarraza was the go-to target with 77 yards on seven receptions. Junior defensive lineman Noah Miles and first-year tight end Ke’Untae Mosley registered MEAC Defensive Player and Rookie of the Week laurels, respectively. The Pirates, like the Bison, are on a two-game winning streak after defeating the Spartans 37-7 last time out. Hampton amassed 466 total yards of offense, balanced by 227 yards in the air and 239 yards on the ground. Quarterback Chris Zellous completed 80 percent of his passes (20-of-25) for 185 yards and ran seven times for another 60 yards and two touchdowns. The rivalry between Hampton and Howard dates back to 1908, the oldest series in Hampton history, with Hampton leading the series 54-42-1. The Pirates won the last outing defeating the Bison by one-point, 35-34, after coming back from trailing 31-14 in the third quarter a season ago. MEAC teams are 1-1 against Hampton this season as Morgan State claimed a 30-28 win in the two teams’ season openers.
Richmond Spiders (1-2, 0-0 CAA) at Delaware State Hornets (1-2, 0-0 MEAC)
Saturday, September 21 | Alumni Stadium | Dover, DE | 4:00 PM
TV: ESPN+ | Live Stats
Delaware State looks to bounce back following a 30-7 loss in their home opener to Wagner. Hornet quarterback Marqui Adams threw for 132 yards (15-of-30) while running for 18 yards on three carries including the only touchdown for Delaware State. Offensive lineman Antonio Williams received MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades after helping the Hornets register 323 offensive yards against Wagner. Richmond enters Saturday’s game after a dominating 38-0 victory over Charleston Southern at home. The Spiders registered 370 yards of total offense, including a commanding 213 yards on the ground. Running back Zach Palmer-Smith led the charge with 80 yards and two rushing touchdowns on 21 carries. Play caller Kyle Wickersham recorded 128 yards for an 83 percent completion rating (10-of-12) with two touchdowns on the day, one throwing and one rushing. The Spiders and Hornets have met once before, with Richmond collecting a 38-6 victory last year in Richmond, VA. The MEAC went 1-2 against the Spiders in 2023 with the MSU Bears securing a one-touchdown victory, 17-10.
Virginia University of Lynchburg Dragons (0-3, 0-0) at Morgan State Bears (1-2, 0-0 MEAC)
Saturday, September 21 | Hughes Stadium | Baltimore, MD | 7:00 PM
TV: ESPN+ | Live Stats
The Bears host the Dragons of Virginia University of Lynchburg for their home opener following a 21-6 loss at Ohio University. Sophomore quarterback Tahj Smith recorded 136 yards on 15 of 30 passes, with wide receiver Andre Crawley as his most productive target collecting 65 yards on six receptions. The Bears’ defense has proven to be a force for their opponents as Morgan State leads the MEAC with the fewest points allowed (63) and most interceptions (5) through three games. The Dragons are still searching for their first win of the 2024 season after suffering a trio of losses, most recently a 52-0 shutout against Presbyterian. Virginia-Lynchburg struggled to get its offense going last week, as the team registered just 78 yards of total offense. On defense, Kendrick Cox led the Dragons with 11 tackles, six solo, including two for a loss of three yards. The two teams have met three previous times heading into Saturday’s match-up with Morgan State leading 3-0 all-time. The Bears defeated the Dragons 44-10 in 2022. MEAC teams have outscored Virginia-Lynchburg 278-59 over six games going back to the 2022 season.
North Carolina A&T State Aggies (1-2, 0-0 CAA) at North Carolina Central Eagles (1-2, 0-0 MEAC)
Saturday, September 21 | O’Kelley Riddick Stadium | Durham, NC | 7:00 PM
TV: ESPN+ | ESPN3 | ESPNU (re-air on at 11:00 p.m.) | Live Stats
The Eagles look to shake off the 45-10 loss to North Carolina Chapel Hill when they welcome the Aggies of North Carolina A&T State to the ‘Nest’ for the 96th Aggie/Eagle Classic in Durham, N.C. Running back J’Mari Taylor registered the Eagles only touchdown of the game, a five-yard run to cap a 12-play, 75-yard drive. North Carolina A&T State is also looking to bounce back following a tough loss, 42-13 to the University of Delaware in their CAA opener. N.C. A&T State’s defense registered the lone touchdown, as cornerback Aaron Harris ran back an interception for 70 yards. Placekicker Andrew Brown recorded the remaining seven points for the Aggies on two field goals and a point-after kick. N.C. A&T leads the 102-year-old rivalry with an all-time 54-36-5 record. The Eagles won the last outing defeating the Aggies 30-16 last season. Saturday’s game will be the first time since 2018 that the Aggie/Eagle Classic will be played in Durham, NC.
