MEAC Football Report

By Uba Okereke

Hampton Outlasts Ivy League’s Princeton

Hampton defeated Princeton 28-23 in a MEAC vs. Ivy League football showdown last Saturday night.

The Pirates (3-2) led 21-10 at halftime courtesy of two touchdown runs and one touchdown pass from David Legree to Dyrri McCain.

Princeton (1-3) outgained Hampton 427-396 but only converted one touchdown drive in seven red zone trips deep in Pirates territory.

Legree gave Hampton a 28-20 lead early in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. The Tigers had one more possession following a made field goal but turned it over on downs at the Hampton 16 yard line with 1:26 remaining.

Legree had a season high 302 passing yards on 26 completions with two touchdowns. McCain also contributed with six catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

The win snapped a two game losing streak for the Pirates.

Chuck Dibilo rushed for 147 yards and one touchdown for Princeton.

Bethune-Cookman Inept Offense Key in Loss to NC A&T

Defending MEAC champion Bethune-Cookman lost to North Carolina A&T 22-3 last Saturday in Greensboro, N.C. The Wildcats were looking to extend its winning streak over the Aggies to eight games.

The usually high-octane offense was put in check by the aggressive A&T defense. The Aggies forced and recovered three fumbles, recorded a safety and intercepted a BCU pass. The Wildcats (2-3, 1-2 in MEAC football) were held to five yards rushing and only scored on a field goal in the first quarter.

North Carolina A&T (3-2, 2-0 in MEAC football) trailed 3-2 in the first quarter before scoring 10 unanswered points to lead 12-3 at halftime.

The Aggies then scored 10 more second half points including a nine yard touchdown run by Mike Mayhew midway through the fourth quarter to seal the 19 point victory.

The loss by BCU snaps a seven game winning streak in the series over A&T and gives the Aggies consecutive conference wins for the first time since November 2003.

The Wildcats also had lows in offense, generating only 108 total yards.

David Kindle threw for 119 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for the Aggies.

 Howard Rallies in Fourth to Upset FAMU

Howard overcame a 21-0 halftime deficit to beat Florida A&M 29-28 in a MEAC football showdown. It also happened to be homecoming for the Rattlers.

FAMU was a well-oiled machine in the first half, scoring 21 straight points including two touchdown passes from Damien Fleming to take a commanding lead into halftime.

However, no lead is safe, just ask the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. Howard (3-3, 2-2 in MEAC football) started to chip away at the Rattler lead with two touchdowns (one PAT failed) early in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 28-13.

Bison QB Greg McGhee threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Drayton with under two minutes to play, and Andra Williams rushed for a one yard touchdown run to come within two (28-26) with 26 seconds remaining.

FAMU only had to run out the clock to preserve the win but Fleming fumbled the ball on second down at the Rattlers 28 and it was recovered by Howard’s Sackie Kerkulah and returned to the FAMU 15.

Howard’s Parker Munoz kicked the game winning field goal with four seconds left on the ensuing possession for the one point victory.

McGhee threw for 233 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions for Howard.

Florida A&M (3-3, 1-2) was held to 27 yards rushing.

Okereke is a contributing writer for Regal Black Men's Magazine, a publication dedicated to the African American community.