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When longtime intrastate rivals Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M battle in the annual Florida Classic in Orlando, Florida, it’s usually expected that a player on one of these teams is going to have a big-time performance. This season’s matchup didn’t disappoint. Bethune-Cookman quarterback Quentin Williams put on quite a show last Saturday at the Orlando Citrus Bowl, throwing three touchdown passes and rushing for another score to lead the Wildcats to a 35-14 victory over the Rattlers. The 5-foot-11, 209-pound senior completed 15 of 18 passes for 226 yards, helping B-CU grab a share of its fourth consecutive MEAC championship. Williams also earned ESPN.com HBCU Player of the Week honors. B-CU shares the conference title with North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T. The Wildcats finished the season 9-2 overall and 7-1 in the MEAC. Throughout the season, Williams was key to the team’s success, connecting on 132 of 195 passes for 2,171 yards, including 19 TDs and just six interceptions.  Celebration Bowl: North Carolina A&T State will be heading to the inaugural Celebration Bowl, representing the MEAC. The game, which kicks off the college football postseason, will be played on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta (Noon, ET, ABC).
The Aggies climbed to the top of the MEAC, winning the first-place tiebreaker over Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina Central. All three teams picked up a share of the MEAC’s regular-season championship with 7-1 league records. NC A&T now awaits the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion, which will be either Grambling State or Alcorn State. They will meet in the SWAC championship game on Dec. 5 in Houston, with the winner moving on to the Celebration Bowl. MEAC Players of the Week: North Carolina Central running back Dorrell McClain was named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week. McClain rushed for a season-high 167 yards and a touchdown to help the Eagles defeat North Carolina A&T and land a share of the league crown. North Carolina Central strong safety Theo Livingston was selected as the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week. He had a career-best 13 tackles, including 12 solo, to help NCCU edge North Carolina A&T. The senior earned STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Week honors, too. SWAC Players of the Week: Prairie View A&M running back Johnta’ Hebert was chosen as the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week. He ran for 212 yards and three touchdowns in the team’s 56-14 win over Jackson State. Meanwhile, Prairie View A&M linebacker Raleigh Johnson was named the SWAC Defensive Player of the Week. He led the Panthers with 13 tackles in the victory over Jackson State. Boxtorow HBCU Football Media Top 10 Poll
1. Grambling State
2. Bethune-Cookman
3. North Carolina A&T
4. North Carolina Central
5. Prairie View A&M
6. Alcorn State
7. Tuskegee
8. South Carolina State
9. Bowie State
10. Southern Heritage Sports Radio Network, LLC Division I FCS Rankings
1. Grambling State
2. North Carolina A&T
3. Alcorn State
4. Bethune-Cookman
5. Prairie View A&M
6. North Carolina Central
7. South Carolina State
8. Southern
9. Alabama State
10. Hampton SBN Sports Network Black College Football Poll
1. Grambling State
2. Prairie View A&M
3. North Carolina A&T
4. Bethune-Cookman
5. North Carolina Central
6. Alcorn State
7. Tuskegee
8. Southern
9. South Carolina State
10. Bowie State
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