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MEAC Football Week 1: Results, top performers, team of the week

By Jarrett Hoffman

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 05: Runningback Iasiah Totten #25 of the North Carolina Central Eagles on a running play during the game against the Florida A&M Rattlers at Bragg Memorial Stadium Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Rattlers defeated the Eagles 28 to 21. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 05: Runningback Iasiah Totten #25 of the North Carolina Central Eagles on a running play during the game against the Florida A&M Rattlers at Bragg Memorial Stadium Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Rattlers defeated the Eagles 28 to 21. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Delaware State defenders converge on teammate Brooks Parker (55) after he made a stop in the third quarter of the Blue Hens’ 34-14 win at Alumni Stadium in Dover Saturday, April 10, 2021.Ud V Dsu
Delaware State defenders converge on teammate Brooks Parker (55) after he made a stop in the third quarter of the Blue Hens’ 34-14 win at Alumni Stadium in Dover Saturday, April 10, 2021.Ud V Dsu /

How did MEAC football teams fare in Week 1?

  • Delaware State 32, Bowie State 24

The Delaware State Hornets began their 2021 season with a win over the reigning two-time CIAA champion and Division II powerhouse Bowie State Bulldogs.

The Hornets started off the game hot building a 26-3 halftime lead thanks to three first-half turnovers by the Bulldogs.

Bowie State did not go down without a fight putting together back-to-back drives ending in touchdowns but both extra point attempts were blocked making the score 26-15.

Delaware State answered by putting six points of their own on the board but the Bulldogs blocked their extra point returning it the other way for two points making the score 32-17 going into the fourth quarter.

With three minutes remaining, Bowie State scored on a 39-yard touchdown pass to make it a one-possession game. Facing a third down and two with less than two minutes remaining, the Hornets converted and ran down the clock on their way to victory.

This was the first season-opening win for Delaware State since 2012 when they defeated Virginia Military Institute (VMI).

Next game: Sept. 11 vs. Georgetown

  • Howard 14, Richmond 38

The Howard Bison kicked off their 2021 campaign with a road loss to the Richmond Spiders. They fared much better in this game than they did in their 2019 season opener when they lost 79-0 to the Maryland Terrapins.

Howard actually played a good game despite their loss specifically on offense gaining 348 yards of total offense.

A 64-yard touchdown by the Bison made the score 23-14 going into the half. That was the longest play of the game for either team.

Richmond scored two touchdowns in the third quarter firmly placing the momentum in their favor which carried them to their victory.

It was their inability to convert on third down that was a big reason for their loss as they were 1-for-11 on third-down conversion attempts.

Next game: Sept. 11 at Maryland

  • Morgan State 0, Towson 31 (neutral site)

In the only rivalry game to take place in a game known as “The Battle for Greater Baltimore,” Towson won decisively shutting out Morgan State.

Morgan State was unable to get anything going on offense as only two of their drives in the game saw them gain over 10 yards.

Their defense did their best to stall the Towson offense at the beginning of the game forcing a turnover on downs or a punt in four of their first five possessions.

Next game: Sept. 11 vs. Tulane

  • Norfolk State 10, Toledo 49

After a solid start, Norfolk State was unable to keep pace with the Toledo Rockets ultimately leading to their loss.

Toledo’s special teams outscored Norfolk State as they scored touchdowns on two punt returns in the game.

After Norfolk State scored on a 47-yard touchdown to make the score 14-7, Toledo scored four unanswered touchdowns culminating in an 84-yard touchdown pass.

Next game: Sept. 11 vs. Wake Forest

  • South Carolina State 41, Alabama A&M 42

In what may have been the best game in all of college football this weekend, South Carolina State lost a close game against reigning SWAC champion Alabama A&M.

This game was a back-and-forth affair with both teams combining for 1,024 yards of total offense and 11 offensive touchdowns.

After South Carolina State was initially forced to punt on their opening drive, they regained the ball following a fumble on the return by Alabama A&M. They took advantage of the turnover by putting up the first points of the game.

For the remainder of the half, there was just one punt with both teams trading the lead back-and-forth ending with South Carolina State leading 24-21.

The third quarter began with South Carolina State scoring a touchdown to extend their lead to 31-21 followed by both teams stalling drives punting on each of their first two possessions.

This was followed by Alabama A&M scoring on consecutive possessions to take a 35-31 lead. South Carolina State then scored a touchdown and a field goal on their next two possessions to take a 41-35 lead in the fourth quarter.

Alabama A&M responded with a touchdown of their own to take a 42-41 lead with 8:11 remaining in the game. After each team’s next drives ended in punts, South Carolina State had one last chance to put points on the board but was upended by the A&M defense sealing the win with an interception on fourth down.

This was the second win for Alabama A&M against South Carolina State this calendar year as they also beat them 31-7 in March during the spring season.

Next game: Sept. 11 at Clemson

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