NORFOLK, Va., September 7, 2022 – This Saturday will see a new batch of six Middle East Athletic Conference (MEAC) contests, with North Carolina Central returning home for the first time in 2022 and Delaware State facing an in-state rival in search of their first win. in the series
Here’s a look at every game in week 2.
Norfolk State Spartans (0-1, 0-0 MEAC) vs. James Madison Dukes (1-0, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Saturday, September 10 ● Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field ● Harrisonburg, Va. ● 4 p.m.
Television: ESPN3 ● live stats
The Spartans will return to the Commonwealth of Virginia after opening the season with a 55-3 loss to Marshall, and will face their second straight Sun Belt opponent in James Madison. Long an FCS powerhouse, the Dukes are transitioning to FBS and are in their first season in the Sun Belt; James Madison opened his 2022 campaign last weekend with a 44-7 win over Middle Tennessee, and this weekend’s competition will be the show’s second straight at home. The Dukes lead the all-time series with Norfolk State 2-0, having met in 2017 and 2018. The 2018 contest was interrupted by weather, with the Dukes winning 17-0.
South Carolina State Bulldogs (0-1, 0-0 MEAC) vs. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (0-1, 0-0 SWAC)
Saturday, September 10 ● Daytona Stadium ● Daytona Beach, Fla. ● 4 pm
Television: ESPN+ ● live stats
The former conference foes will square off in non-conference action for the second straight season, this time in Daytona Beach, Florida. Both South Carolina State and Bethune-Cookman opened their respective seasons last week against FBS opponents; the Bulldogs fell 56-10 in Central Florida, while the Wildcats fell 70-13 to Miami. The two teams met in Orangeburg, SC in 2021, with the Bulldogs winning 42-35 for their first win of the season. Since 1959, South Carolina State is 33-24-1 all-time against Bethune-Cookman, and the Bulldogs have won each of the last two meetings and three of the last five.
Delaware State Hornets (1-0, 0-0 MEAC) vs. No. 10/13 Delaware Blue Hens (1-0, 0-0 CAA)
Saturday, September 10 ● Delaware Stadium ● Newark, Del. ● 6 pm
TV: FloFootball ● live stats
The first state rivalry heats up again this week as the state of Delaware heads north on Route 1 to take on the Delaware Blue Hens. Delaware leads the all-time series 10-0, including a 34-14 win over the Hornets last season. Delaware State won its first game, 34-0 over Lincoln (Pa.) last week, when three different Hornets found the end zone on the ground. Delaware, outside the CAA, is coming off a 14-7 victory over the United States Naval Academy. It was Delaware’s eighth all-time victory over the Midshipmen and their 16the win all times over an FBS opponent. The Blue Hens, ranked No. 10 in the STATS FCS Top 25 Poll and No. 13 in the FCS Coaches Poll, were chosen to finish second in the CAA in 2022 and boast five honorees from All-CAA preseason.
Winston-Salem State Rams (0-1, 0-0 CIAA) vs. North Carolina Central Eagles (1-0, 0-0 MEAC)
Saturday, September 10 ● O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium ● Durham, NC ● 6 pm
Television: ESPN+/MEAC Digital Network ● live stats
Fresh off a 28-13 victory over rival North Carolina A&T State in the Duke’s Mayo Classic, North Carolina Central will play its first home game of 2022 on Saturday in search of its first 2-0 start since 2006. The Eagles swept weekly MEAC honors, including Offensive Player of the Week Davius Richard, who had all four touchdowns against the Aggies (two throwing, two rushing). Winston-Salem State opened its season with a 41-21 loss to Central State in the Black College Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. North Carolina Central faced Winston-Salem State last season, escaping with a 20-13 win.
Howard Bison (0-2, 0-0 MEAC) vs. South Florida Bulls (0-1, 0-0 AAC)
Saturday, September 10 ● Raymond James Stadium ● Tampa, Fla. ● 7 pm
Television: ESPN+
Howard’s comeback attempt against rival Hampton fell short last weekend, despite four touchdown passes from quarterback Quinton Williams, as the Bison fell 31-28 in the Battle of the Royal HU. The Bison will be back on the road this weekend, taking on an FBS opponent in the Bulls of South Florida. This will be the first meeting between the two teams, and the Bulls will enter the competition after falling 50-21 to BYU at home last weekend. This is head coach Jeff Scott’s second season as head coach in South Florida, and he is one of the youngest head coaches in the nation.
Morgan State Bears (0-1, 0-0 MEAC) vs. Towson Tigers (1-0, 0-0 CAA)
Saturday, September 10 ● Minnegan Field at Johnny Unitas Stadium ● Towson, Md. ● 7 pm
Television: Maryland Public Television ● live stats
Morgan State will be on the road, but closer to home, this weekend, heading to Johnny Unitas Stadium for the Battle for Greater Baltimore against Towson. The Tigers, coming off a 14-13 overtime victory over Bucknell last weekend, are 20-6 all-time against the Bears and have won each of the past four meetings (including 31 -0 last year). Morgan State’s last win in the series came in 2009, when the Bears won at home 12-9. Morgan State, meanwhile, is coming off a 59-7 loss to Georgia Southern last weekend in head coach Damon Wilson’s debut, though the Bears had a highlight in Jordan Toles’ 50-yard interception return. for a touchdown.
