In the FCS Huddle: MEAC spring football primer
Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – The lack of a win in the FCS playoffs since 1999 and a big annual payday have the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference considering significant change to its postseason plans.
The MEAC could relinquish its automatic bid to the playoffs to have its champion face the top team from the other historically black conference in the FCS, the Southwestern Athletic Conference, in an ESPN-funded postseason bowl, similar to MEAC-SWAC Challenge each opening weekend (this year, it’s South Carolina State taking on Arkansas-Pine Bluff).
The estimate with a bowl game is that each conference would received $1 million to split among members. Floyd Kerr, the athletic director of last year’s MEAC playoff qualifier Morgan State, said in a December radio interview that it’s going to happen.
Even if the idea doesn’t come off this year, the competitiveness within the 11-team MEAC will be high. Morgan State, Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central and South Carolina State combined on a five-way tie for the title a year ago, and each remains in this year’s title picture in a conference boasting four new head coaches … as well as questions across the quarterback position.
Here’s a look across the MEAC with spring practices getting underway around the nation:
STORY LINES
Bethune-Cookman lost head coach Brian Jenkins to Alabama State, but Terry Sims was elevated to the top spot and he kept much of the coaching staff intact, which brings continuity for a program that has won at least a share of four of the last five MEAC titles.
Delaware State has a first-time head coach in Kenny Carter, but he has worked under the likes of Joe Paterno, Urban Meyer, Charlie Strong and Dave Wannstedt.
The Hornets were set back just before last season when expected starting quarterback Esayah Obado was lost to a lower back injury. He hopes to revive a struggling offense this year.
Coming off three straight losing seasons, Florida A&M should grow up quickly under new coach Alex Wood. The Rattlers had 16 freshman and sophomore starters last season.
Former Richmond and Virginia State head coach Latrell Scott is now in charge at Norfolk State, coaching at his seventh different program within the state of Virginia. He hasn’t promised any starting positions as the Spartans hope to improve off a 4-8 season.
The first-year coaches will hope to match the success of Morgan State’s Lee Hull, who in his first campaign with the Bears led them to a share of their first MEAC title since 1979 and into the FCS playoffs for the first time. The Bears will have a strong offense, but the defense needs improvement under new coordinator Mike Fanoga.
Howard won five of its final six final games in 2013 and went 4-0 in November last season after a 1-7 start. Coach Gary Harrell’s squad will work to be more prepared early in the season.
North Carolina A&T feels as though it has unfinished business after having control of last year’s MEAC title race heading into the final week. Despite going 9-3, they failed to finish off a couple winnable games.
A&T rival North Carolina Central returns eight players who earned a form of All-MEAC honors, including first-team selections Adrian Wilkins (wide receiver), Clevonne Davis (offensive lineman) and Michael Jones (cornerback and punt returner).
After quarterback Adrian Kollock Jr. was asked to manage South Carolina State’s offense last season, coach Buddy Pough says he needs the redshirt junior to be the best at the position in the MEAC. Kollock gets to work with outstanding wideout Temarrick Hemingway.
Savannah State can’t have spring practices because of APR sanctions. It adds to the work of third-year coach Earnest Wilson III, whose team was 0-12 last season and has won two or fewer games in 15 of the last 16 seasons.
THEY’RE BACK
Delaware State strong safety Terrick Colston has made the All-MEAC second or third team for three straight seasons, with the chance to move to the first team as a senior.
Big back Eric Carter Jr. was excellent as a freshman, but he will be even better with increased carries as a sophomore.
South Carolina State running back Jalen Simmons was a surprise with 1,090 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground a year ago, but the Bulldogs also return 2013 standout Justin Taylor.
North Carolina Central could have the MEAC’s top quarterback in junior Malcolm Bell. He ranked second in the conference in total offense (218.2 ypg).
Howard gains momentum with the return of running back Anthony Philyaw, who rushed for 15 touchdowns in 2013, and injury-plagued strong safety Julien David.
North Carolina A&T returns the exciting duo of quarterback Kwashaun Quick and running back Tarik Cohen.
Morgan State running back Herb Walker Jr. went on to post a school-record 1,408-yard season, but he wasn’t even the season-opening starter. It was Lamont Brown III, who rushed for 124 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns against Eastern Michigan before suffering an ACL tear. He’s expected back this season.
In only eight games a year ago, Savannah State linebacker Marquis Smith totaled 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks while forcing three fumbles.
POSITION BATTLES
North Carolina A&T has interesting battles at linebacker, Joshua Patrick and Denzel Jones in the middle and Marcus Albert and Lorenz Suttles on the outside.
Morgan State didn’t have its 2013 quarterback, Seth Higgins, because of a shoulder injury. He wants to reclaim the starting job from Moses Skillon.
Florida A&M is replacing veteran quarterback Damien Fleming. JUCO transfer Shazzon Mumphrey, who redshirted last season, and redshirt junior Carson Royal know the system better than touted incoming freshman Ryan Stanley.
Bethune-Cookman quarterbacks Larry Brihm and Quentin Williams always seem to be a battle for playing time, but the Wildcats probably prefer to play both of them.
Although Hampton quarterback Jerrell Antoine finished strong last season, incoming freshman David Watford is capable of winning the job.
Howard is seeking a new quarterback after losing a four-year starter in Greg McGhee.
FIVE BREAKOUT PERFORMERS
A year after getting acclimated in Bethune-Cookman’s spread offense, former Miami (Fla.) running back Danny Dillard figures to have a heavier workload.
Florida A&M produced only 97.6 rushing yards per game. Tysean Holloway, once a touted prospect at Appalachian State, hopes to solve some of the woes.
At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Morgan State has terrific size in wide receiver Kirby Linscomb IV, a San Jose City College transfer.
North Carolina A&T’s red-zone wide receiver Denzel Mack, a big contributor on the men’s basketball team, should be a bigger factor for the football team with his 6-4 size and ball skills.
Norfolk State’s rushing game could use a lift from Old Dominion transfer Gerard Johnson.
NUMBERS NEVER LIE
South Carolina State defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, the MEAC’s 2014 defensive player of the year, racked up six solo sacks in one game and 16 for the season.
Three MEAC teams averaged fewer than 12 points – Norfolk State (11.7), Savannah State (11.4) and Delaware State (11.3).
Norfolk State needs to get to the red zone more often after scoring in only 11 of 22 chances.
Bethune-Cookman seeks improvement on the offensive line after allowing 46 sacks a year ago.
The highest punt return averages in the FCS belonged to South Carolina State’s Antonio Hamilton (25.6) and North Carolina Central’s Michael Jones (19.1).
Statistically, Hampton was similar to its opponents in a lot of ways, but its minus-13 turnover margin helped lead to the Pirates getting outscored, 374-270.
Savannah State knows about giving up too many points, allowing 46.4 per game last season.
SPRING PRACTICE DATES
With 2014 records in parentheses
Bethune-Cookman (9-3, 6-2): March 16-TBA
Delaware State (2-10, 2-6): March 18-April 11
Florida A&M (3-9, 3-5): March 18-April 11
Hampton (3-9, 2-6): March 4-April 4
Howard (5-7, 3-5): March 23-April 18
Morgan State (7-6, 6-2): March 17-April 25
North Carolina A&T (9-3, 6-2): March 16-April 18
North Carolina Central (7-5, 6-2): March 17-April 10
Norfolk State (4-8, 4-4): March 17-April 18
Savannah State (0-12, 0-8): No spring practices (APR sanctions)
South Carolina State (8-4, 6-2): March 16-April 11
Categorized in: NCAA Football