MEAC Week 9 Football Honors
NORFOLK, Va. - North Carolina A&T State running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced today. Savannah State defensive end Marquis Smith was named Defensive Player of the Week.
Savannah State’s TJ Bell and Hampton’s Robert Scott earned Co-Rookie of the Week honors, while North Carolina A&T State’s Brandon Parker received Offensive Lineman of the Week honors. Uriel Hernandez, of Bethune-Cookman, was selected as the Specialist of the Week.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tarik Cohen North Carolina A&T State RB 5-6, 179, Sr. Bunn, N.C.
Cohen finished Saturday’s 42-17 victory over Florida A&M with 145 yards, on 17 carries, and three touchdowns. He currently leads the FCS in total touchdowns (15). Cohen also had three receptions for 65 yards in the game. Cohen has earned the honor six times this season and five consecutive weeks.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Marquis Smith Savannah State DE 6-3, 230, Sr. District Heights, Md.
Smith recorded a game-high 13 tackles (11 solo), including five tackles for a loss of 30 yards, in the 31-27 win over Howard. He also had two sacks for a loss of 14 yards and forced one fumble in the game. This marks the second time this season Smith has garnered defensive player of the week honors.
ROOKIES OF THE WEEK
TJ Bell Savannah State QB 6-3, 180, Fr. Louisville, Ky.
Bell completed 16-of-31 passes (51.6 percent) for 241 yards in the 31-27 win over Howard. He threw a game-winning six-yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds left to seal the Tigers’ first-ever win over Howard.
Robert Scott Hampton DB 6-0, 208, Fr. Richmond, Va.
Scott posted eight tackles, including two solo, in the 28-26 win over South Carolina State. He also had one forced fumble, one interception and one pass breakup in the game. Scott forced a SC State fumble midway in the fourth quarter to end a potential scoring drive.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
Brandon Parker North Carolina A&T State LT 6-7, 299, r-Jr. Kannapolis, N.C.
Parker earned a team-high 90-percent on his blocking assignments, with five pancake blocks, no penalties and no sacks allowed, as N.C. A&T State finished with 543 yards of offense. He also helped in pass protection, as the Aggies completed 20-of-27 passes, with one touchdown, in the win over Florida A&M. Parker has earned the offensive lineman of the week award three times this season.
SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK
Uriel Hernandez Bethune-Cookman PK 5-4, 209, So. Homestead, Ga.
Hernandez scored 11 points for the Wildcats, as he finished 2-for-2 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points in the 41-10 win over Delaware State. He also served as punter in the game, averaging 42 yards on four punts.
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