BETHUNE-COOKMAN is the team most likely to challenge Tennessee State for supremacy among HBCUs. The Wildcats are gunning for their third consecutive MEAC crown. Traditional MEAC power South Carolina State and resurgent North Carolina A&T are the biggest threats to the Wildcats’ title aspirations. Bethune-Cookman returns 44 lettermen, including 10 starters. Quarterback Quentin Williams (1,270 passing yards, 5 touchdowns) is the acknowledged leader of the Wildcats’ offense after splitting time with Jackie Wilson and Brock Waters the past two seasons in Coach Brian Jenkins’ three-quarterback rotation. Redshirt freshmen Larry Brihm and Trey Farrior are likely to see action as well.
The Wildcats have the foundation for a strong offensive unit with three starting linemen, Andrew Edourd, Anthony Kibler and Darius Bladek returning, along with wide receiver Jhomo Gordon. However, their defense will be full of new faces. Linemen DeBranden and Joshua Richardson and Rony Barrow and defensive back Marquis Drayton are the only starters on hand.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE has averaged eight victories a year and won or shared five conference titles during Coach Buddy Pough’s 12-year tenure. There is little reason to believe they won’t be in the thick of the battle for the again in 2014. As usual, defense is the Bulldogs’ calling card. Defensive ends Alex Glover and Andrew Carter and nose tackle Javon Hargrave give the Bulldogs the most formidable defensive line in the conference and perhaps all of FCS. All three were All-MEAC last season. But Pough has some holes to plug on offense, with the biggest one being at quarterback. TeDarrius Wiley (234 passing yards, one TD) takes over for Richard Cue after seeing action in seven games last season.
NORTH CAROLINA A&T has been on an upward trajectory ever since fourth-year coach Rod Broadway took over.The Aggies were 7-4 last year for the second straight year. With 54 lettermen returning, this could well be the season for them to make a serious run at the conference title. Running back Tarik Cohen (1,148 rushing yards, a school record for freshmen) gives Broadway the type of ball carrier that he likes for the running game.
However, Cohen will operate behind a rebuilt offensive line that is anchored by left tackle William Ray Robinson. The Aggies will also have to break in a new quarterback as Kwashaun Quick takes over for three-year starter Lewis Kindle. Defense has been a constant for the Aggies,and it will likely determine how successful they are this season. The secondary has to be made over after losing all four starters to graduation.
DELAWARE STATE has shown steady improvement the last two seasons, tying for third place with a 5-3 conference record both years. They could be the spoiler this season. Redshirt freshman quarterback Esayah Obado (40 attempts, 21 completions and 168 passing yards in four games) is the key to the Hornets’ fortunes. He takes over the No. 1 passing offense in the conference, replacing Cory Murphy.
HOWARD hopes the return of Coach Gary “Flea’’ Harrell will elevate the Bison into contention. Harrell is back on the sidelines after taking off the 2013 season to attend to personal and family issues. That’s good news for the Bison. Harrell had them on the move during his first two seasons as they compiled a 12-10 record after winning just four games the previous four seasons. The Bison should have a potent offense with QB quarterback Greg McGhee, the 2013 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year (2,379 passing yards, 16 touchdowns) running the show and sophomore second-team All-MEAC running back Anthony Philyaw (722 rushing yards, MEAC best 15 TDs) heading up the ground game.
