MEAC FOOTBALL
Some unexpected events occured
towards the end of the regular season
which created a two-way tie for first
place between North Carolina A AT and
Delaware State.
At first it appeared that the Aggies
win over South Carolina State had all
but guaranteed them sole possession of
first place. But that changed the Mon
day after that game when it was dis
closed that Bethune-Cookman had to
forfeit its victory over Delaware State
(28-20 on Sept. 7) because the Wildcats
used an ineligible player.
Because of the forfeit, Del State's
conference record (5-1) is the same as
A&T's. So the two school share the title.
Still, there was a question about
who would be the ME AC representative
in the Alamo Heritage Bowl opposite
SWAC champion Alabama State. Since
Del State beat the Aggies in head-to
head competition, some folk assumed
that the Hornets would get the bid.
DSC didn't get the bid. The ME AC
waived its head-to-head tiebreaker to
determine a conference representative
for the game in case of a two-way tie.
As a result, the bowl committee was
empowered to choose the team that
would play in the game. Their choice
was A&T.
North Carolina A&T
The Aggies didn't get the undefeat
ed season they were hoping for. But
what the heck. They'll take an MEAC
championship crown and be very satis
fied about it
%
A&T played superb in its wins, but
not so superb in its losses to Winston
Salem State and Delaware State. Along
the way, these guys erased any doubts,
ending the season with a 9-2 overall
record for the second straight year.
Given that, it's easy to understand why
Aggies gridmaster Bill Hayes was the
pick for MEAC Coach Of The Year hon
ors.
For more on A&T, turn to the cover
story on page 7.
Delaware State
Del State finished the year with a
serious rush, winning four straight But
more importantly, the Hornets added
North Carolina A&T and South Carolina
State to its list of victims.
DSC downed A&T on the Aggies
home grounds, 31-26. Tackle Gregory
Johnson paved the way for the Hornets
to ntfsh for 325 yards. Running backs
Michael Murray (three TDs) and Dakiel
Short (one TD) combined to rush for
249 yards.
On defense, LeRoy Thompson
wreaked havoc, registering five quarter
back sacks for the day.
^ Photo by T-Les
FAMU's Antolns Ezell bombed B-CC's secondary for four touchdown passss
In this ysar's Rorida Classic at Tampa.
The Hornets used that same type of
toe-to-toe approach in dismantling a
tough South Carolina State defense, 19
14. Guard Rod Milstead was the leading
blocker for q Hornets front that gave the
backs enough running room to generate
314 rushing yards.
DSC wrapped up. the month by
smacking Northeastern Universtiy (46
20) and Howard University (56-12).
Murray gained 160 yards vs. North
eastern, which put him over the 1,000
yards mark for the year. He is now No. 5
on the MEAC's all-time rushing list with
2,951 yards. Murray (nine rush TDs)
ended the year as the MEACs leading
ball carrier with 1,200 yards. Milstead
was once again instrumental in the game
plan with his blocking. Del State had
380 rushing yards.
On defense, DB James Redding had
six solo tackles, an interception, one
sack and one forced fumble.
Against Howard, Murray contribut
ed 169 yards and a couple of TDs. DB
Brian Randall picked off two passes,
returning one of those for 34 yards and a
score.
South Carolina State
The Bulldogs went through a rough
skid last month, losing to Delaware State
(19-14), Jackson State (17-6) and North
Carolina A&T (49-21). Their lone win
came against Charleston Southern (12
0).
In the Charleston contest, quarter
back Marvin Marshall provided the final
margin of victory, scoring both touch
downs for the Dogs. Defensive tackle
Walt Wilson played strong, contributing
12 tackles plus a recovered fumble.
Tackle Melvin Owens and tailback
Mike Johnson took center stage in the
loss to Jackson State. Owens gav? John
son room to roam and he produced 123
yards on 23 carries. Robert Porcher, this
year's MEAC Defensive Player Of The
Year, had eight solo tackles and a forced
fumble. Linebacker Henry Qialiain was
the top performer vs. A&T with 10 tack
les and one sack.
In spite of a disappointing Novem
ber, the Dogs proved that they were
among the fiercest defensive units in 1
AA ball this year. SC State led the
MEAC in four defensive categories,
which included a measlcy 14.3 ppg
(storing)-and 81.7 ypg (rushing).
Florida A&M
Except for a narrow loss to Gram
bling (25-22), the Battlers got the best of
it, winning three of their last four.
A&M made its year by downing
rival Bethune-Cookman 46-28 in the
Florida Classic on Thanksgiving week
end. QB Antoine Ezell was on target,
throwing for 296 yards and four touch
downs. William Davis had only two
catches, but the result was 114 yards and
two scores.
Alonzo Ashwood came through
with a workmanlike performance, rush
ing for 97 yards and one TD.
In the Southern U. game, a 24-20
win for A&M, Ezell strutted his stuff to
lead his mates to a comeback win. By
game's end, Ezell had completed 20 of
33 passes for 303 yards and two TDs.
Chuck Duffey, the league's leading scor
er in '91 (13 TDs), rushed for 95 yards
and a touchdown.
Defense took the spotlight in a one
sided 55-6 win over Morgan State.
Linebacker Cedric Jones (seven tackles,
one sack) and cornerback Keino Taylor
(four tackles, three pass break-ups, one
interception) turned irt the top perfor
mances.
Bothuno-Cookman.
The end of the year was not very
good for the Wildcats, who lost league
games to A&T (39-24) and Florida
A&M (46-28). However, the month was
n't a total bust. B-CC journeyed to the
Bahamas to play Morris Brown in the
first annual Conch Bowl and walked
away with a 51-13 win.
Jermapne Hall, who led the MEAC *.
in passing yardage (2,665) and TDs (20),
fired up the Wolverines for 268 yards
and five touchdowns. DB Leotis McNeil
Please see page 14