MEAC: Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State tied for first

By ALVIN HOLLINS JR.
Alvinhollins833@yahoo.com

MEAC ROUNDUP: Defending champion Bethune-Cookman remained atop the MEAC standings as the Wildcats (6-1, 3-0) crushed visiting Savannah State, 48-21.

BCU’s win sets up next Saturday’s “Showdown on Da Beach” with fellow MEAC unbeaten, South Carolina State.  The winner will gain sole possession of first place in the league heading into the final four week stretch of the 2013 campaign.In other MEAC action, the recent trend of parity continued to rear its ugly head as 4 road teams picked up victories.  Delaware State (3-4, 3-1) was two minutes away from a shutout, pulling off a nonetheless stunning 12-7 win over a suddenly slumping North Carolina A&T (3-3, 1-3) in Greensboro.

Also surging up from the depths of near oblivion Saturday were two formerly 0-5 teams, Hampton and Morgan State (both 2-5, 2-1).  Hampton defeated cross bay rival Norfolk State (2-5, 2-2), 27-17 at Norfolk, Va., while Morgan State outslugged host North Carolina Central (3-4, 1-2), 34-22 in Durham, N.C.In the day’s other game, visiting Howard University (2-6, 1-3) scored 21 first half points and made it stand up to spoil Florida A&M’s homecoming (2-5, 1-2), 21-10 in Tallahassee.

Next Week’s slate features all 11 schools in action in five conference bouts and one non-conference affair, including Hampton at Delaware State, 1:00; Norfolk State at ODU, 1:00; Morgan State at Howard, 1:00; North Carolina A&T at Florida A&M, 2:00; North Carolina Central at Savannah State 2:00, and the big one, South Carolina State at Bethune-Cookman, 4:00.2013 MEAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS

Through October 19

Team …………………… Conference …….. Overall

Bethune-Cookman ……. 3-0 1.000 ….. 6-1 .857

South Carolina State …. 3-0 1.000 ….. 5-2 .714

Delaware State ………… 3-1 .750 ….. 3-4 .428

Hampton ………………… 2-1 .667 ….. 2-5 .285

Morgan State …………… 2-1 .667 ….. 2-5 .285

Norfolk State ………….. 2-2 .500 ….. 2-5 .285

North Carolina Central .. 1-2 .333 ….. 3-4 .428

Florida A&M ……………. 1-2 .333 ….. 2-5 .285

North Carolina A&T …… 1-3 .250 ….. 3-3 .500

Howard …………………. 1-3 .250 ….. 2-6 .250

Savannah State ……….. 0-4 .000 ….. 1-7 .125

MEAC WEEK EIGHT SCORECARD (October 19)
Bethune-Cookman 48, Savannah State 21
Delaware State 12, North Carolina A&T 7
Howard 21, Florida A&M 10
Hampton 27, Norfolk State 17
Morgan State 34, North Carolina Central 22

NEXT WEEK’S SCHEDULE (October 26)
Hampton at Delaware State, 1:00
Norfolk State at ODU, 1:00
Morgan State at Howard, 1:00
North Carolina A&T at Florida A&M, 2:00
North Carolina Central at Savannah State 2:00
South Carolina State at Bethune-Cookman, 4:00