All six teams are back in action for week three of the 2024 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football season. Howard faces Morehouse College at MetLife Stadium in the HBUC NYC Classic for the 40th meeting between the two programs, while Norfolk State hosts cross-bay rival Hampton in the 63rd Battle of the Bay game. Delaware State returns to action hosting Wagner, while Morgan State, North Carolina Central and South Carolina State all face off on the road against FBS opponents.
Howard Bison (1-1, 0-0 MEAC) vs. Morehouse Maroon Tigers (0-2, 0-1 SIAC)
Saturday, September 14 | MetLife Stadium |East Rutherford, NJ | 3:00 P.M.
TV: CNBC
Howard enters week three following a thrilling one-point home victory over Mercyhurst in Washington, D.C. The Bison amassed 432 yards of total offense, with quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins contributing 279 total yards, including 122 rushing. Running back Jarett Hunter, the MEAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, also surpassed the 100-yard mark with 126 rushing yards and a career-high three touchdowns. On defense, Terrance Hollon made an impact with seven solo tackles, eight total, and two forced fumbles, one of which he recovered, earning him MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Kicker Dylan West was named MEAC Specialist of the Week after sealing the Bison’s win with a walk-off field goal as time expired. Morehouse, on the other hand, is still searching for its first win of the 2024 season after back-to-back losses to Edward Waters and Johnson C. Smith. The Maroon Tigers recorded 263 yards of total offense against JCSU, with only 49 rushing yards. Wide receiver Ajani Williams led the team with 157 receiving yards on seven catches, scoring both of Morehouse’s touchdowns. Howard holds a 27-10-2 record against Morehouse, including a dominant 65-19 victory in their most recent matchup last season.
Wagner Seahawks (1-1, 0-0 NEC) at Delaware State Hornets (1-1, 0-0 MEAC)
Saturday, September 14 | Alumni Stadium | Dover, DE | 3:00 P.M.
TV: ESPN+
The Hornets enter the weekend refreshed after an early-season bye week, following their 17-15 road win over Sacred Heart in Week 1. Quarterback Marqui Adams threw for 150 yards, completing 14 of 22 passes, including a touchdown to Kristian Tate, who led the receiving corps with 43 yards on two catches. Jaden Sutton paced the running game with 86 yards and a touchdown. Offensive lineman Isaiah Cook earned MEAC Weekly honors in Week 1 for his role in helping secure the victory for Delaware State. Wagner comes into the matchup with a 1-1 record, following a 49-13 loss to Lehigh. The Seahawks posted 249 yards of total offense, led by quarterback Damien Mazil, who threw for 154 yards on 18-of-31 passing with two touchdowns, three interceptions, and two sacks. On the ground, Sekou Kamau (55) and Rickey Spruill (51) combined for 106 rushing yards, while Jaylen Bonelli led the receivers with 54 yards and a touchdown. Saturday’s game marks the second meeting between the two teams, with Delaware State holding a 1-0 series lead. The Hornets edged the Seahawks 33-27 in double overtime in their 2021 matchup.
Morgan State Bears (1-1, 0-0 MEAC) at Ohio Univ. Bobcats (1-1, 0-0 MAC)
Saturday, September 14 | Peden Stadium | Athens, OH | 3:30 P.M.
TV: ESPN+
Morgan State hits the road for the third consecutive week after a tough 14-9 loss to Towson in Towson, Md. The Bears totaled 249 yards of offense, with 163 yards coming through the air. Sophomore quarterback Tahj Smith completed 13 of 20 passes, including a 74-yard touchdown to Joseph Kennerly, who led the receivers with that single catch. On defense, senior lineman Elijah Williams stood out with five solo tackles, eight total, and two sacks for a loss of 12 yards. Ohio enters Saturday’s game following a 27-20 victory over South Alabama, where the Bobcats tallied 404 yards of total offense. Quarterback Parker Navarro threw for 204 yards on 20-of-28 passing, including a touchdown to Chase Hendricks, who led the team with 65 receiving yards on four catches. On the ground, Anthony Tyus III (74 yards) and Rickey Hunt, Jr. (73 yards) combined for 147 rushing yards, while Parker added 62 more. Saturday’s matchup marks the first-ever meeting between Morgan State and Ohio University on the football field.
Hampton Pirates (1-1, 0-0 CAA) at Norfolk State Spartans (1-2, 0-0 MEAC)
Saturday, September 14 | William ‘Dick’ Price Stadium | Norfolk, VA | 4:00 P.M.
TV: ESPN+
Norfolk State returns home this weekend to host Hampton in the Battle of the Bay at William ‘Dick’ Price Stadium, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. The Spartans enter the game on the heels of a 28-23 victory over Virginia State, a win that snapped their home winless streak dating back to 2021. Leading the way for Norfolk State was MEAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, Jalen Daniels, who threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-21 passing, while also rushing for 31 yards and adding a touchdown on the ground. Running back Kevon King powered the run game with 137 yards—his second 100+ yard rushing performance of the season—and a touchdown. Wide receiver Jacquez Jones added 109 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. Hampton comes into the weekend after a 33-21 win over Virginia Union at Armstrong Stadium. The Pirates will travel over the connecting bridge for their first road game of the season. Running back Elijah Burris led the way for Hampton with 145 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries, while quarterback Chris Zellous added 37 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Zellous also completed 14 of 25 passes for 177 yards. Norfolk State holds a 32-29-1 series lead over Hampton, dating back to the CIAA Division II era. The Spartans defeated the Pirates 31-23 in last year’s matchup.
North Carolina Central Eagles (1-1, 0-0 MEAC) at North Carolina – Chapel Hill (2-0, 0-0 ACC)
Saturday, September 14 | Kenan Stadium | Chapel Hill, NC | 6:00 P.M.
TV: ESPN+ | ACC Network Extra
North Carolina Central travels about 14 miles west to Chapel Hill this weekend to take on the Tar Heels of North Carolina at Kenan Stadium on Saturday. The Eagles are looking to bounce back after a 41-19 loss to Elon, where they recorded 336 yards of total offense. Senior wide receiver Joaquin Davis led the Eagles with 101 yards on four receptions, including a touchdown, while quarterback Walker Harris completed 16 of 24 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown. The Tar Heels come into the game with a 2-0 record, having secured wins over Minnesota and Charlotte. Last week, UNC defeated Charlotte 38-20, racking up 490 yards of total offense. Quarterback Conner Harrell threw for 219 yards, completing 16 of 25 passes with two touchdowns. Davion Gause led the Tar Heels’ receiving efforts with 105 yards and a touchdown on 16 catches. Saturday’s game marks the first-ever meeting between North Carolina Central and North Carolina on the football field.
South Carolina State Bulldogs (1-1, 0-0 MEAC) at Georgia Southern Eagles (1-1, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Saturday, September 14 | Allen E. Paulson Stadium | Statesboro, GA | 6:00 P.M.
TV: ESPN+
The Bulldogs head into the weekend after a 23-20 victory over The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. last week. S.C. State posted 421 yards of total offense, with quarterback Eric Phoenix leading the charge with 194 passing yards on 10-of-23 attempts and one touchdown. Running back Deondra Duehart powered the ground game with 128 yards on 18 carries. Offensive lineman Nick Taiste and kicker Kyle Gallegos were recognized with MEAC Weekly honors, as Offensive Lineman and Rookie of the Week, respectively. Georgia Southern enters the matchup with a 1-1 record, following a 20-17 win over Nevada. Eagles quarterback JC French completed 23 of 37 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Dalen Cobb led the Eagles’ receiving corps with 81 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. On defense, Marques Watson-Trent stood out with 14 total tackles, including nine solo stops and a forced fumble. Georgia Southern leads the all-time series against S.C. State 8-0, with their most recent win coming in 2018 by a score of 37-6.
