NORFOLK, Va. – Bethune-Cookman quarterback Larry Brihm, Jr. was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced today. Bethune-Cookman defensive back Diquan Richardson was named Defensive Player of the Week while BCU offensive lineman Chris Adams was named Offensive Lineman of the Week.  Savannah State quarterback D’Vonn Gibbons was tabbed the MEAC Rookie of the Week while BCU punter Javaunie Francis was named Specialist of the Week.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

LARRY BRIHM, JR.
BETHUNE-COOKMAN
QB
5-11, 209, R-Sr.
DELRAY BEACH, FLA.

Brihm, Jr. was named the Florida Blue Florida Classic MVP after scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns versus Florida A&M on Saturday. Down 24-23 with 5:44 remaining, Brihm, Jr. led the Wildcats on a 13-play, 78-yard drive in which he passed for three first downs en route to scoring the winning touchdown with 1:15 remaining from the BCU 2. Prior to the game-winning drive, Brihm, Jr. guided BCU on a five-play, 32-yard drive to move the Wildcats within one point at 24-23. He finished the afternoon 26-of-36 for 280 yards with one passing touchdown while rushing for two touchdowns.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

DIQUAN RICHARDSON
BETHUNE-COOKMAN
SAFETY
5-11, 167, Sr.
ALVIN, S.C.

Richardson led BCU in tackles and had two interceptions in Bethune-Cookman’s win over Florida A&M. The Alvin, S.C. native had the biggest interception of the afternoon with 36 seconds remaining on the BCU 3 as it halted a potential game-winning drive by the Rattlers. Richardson also had an interception in the third quarter right after the Rattlers crossed into BCU territory.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK

CHRIS ADAMS
BETHUNE-COOKMAN
C
6-4, 300, Sr.
DAYTON, OHIO

Adams graded out at 91 percent on all assignments in his final game along the offensive line for BCU as the senior helped orchestrate and anchor an offensive unit that picked up a 29-24 come-from-behind win over Florida A&M in the Florida Blue Florida Classic. Adams came up big in the fourth quarter as BCU rushed for 65 yards and three touchdowns, as well as 88 yards through the air.

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

D’VONN GIBBONS
SAVANNAH STATE
QB
6-2, 205, Fr.
STONE MOUNTAIN, GA.

Gibbons completed 13-of-23 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tigers to victory over South Carolina State for only the second time in series history. He completed a 90-yard touchdown early in the first quarter while also leading the Tigers on a six-play, 52-yard scoring drive early in the fourth quarter which gave SSU a two-touchdown advantage.

SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK

JAVAUNIE FRANCIS
BETHUNE-COOKMAN
P
6-2, 236, Jr.
MIAMI, FLA.

Francis was the top punter in the MEAC this weekend with a 48.7 average on three punts. He had a 62-yard punt in the opening half with 146 yards total.

NOTABLE PERFORMERS

Stefan Banks (DE/Savannah State) Banks registered 10 tackles (7 solos); including four tackles for a loss of 26 yards, three sacks and a forced fumble in the win over South Carolina State.

Chris Faddoul (P/Florida A&M) Faddoul averaged 46.2 yards on four punts; including a long of 53 yards and also had a punt downed at the 3-yard line against Bethune Cookman.

DeAndre Harris (Morgan State) Morgan State’s DeAndre Harris made his second consecutive start at QB and had another productive day for the Bears, despite the outcome. The sophomore completed 20-of-31 passes for 187 yards and tossed three of touchdowns. He also had 15 carries for 79 yards and scored on a 2-yard run that helped give the Bears trim Norfolk’s lead to 32-30 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Ricky Henrilus (RB/Florida A&M) Henrilus led FAMU in rushing with 95 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown against Bethune Cookman to be named the Florida Classic FAMU MVP.

Devin James (LB/Bethune-Cookman) James collected five tackles (1 solo) and a tackle for a loss in the win versus Florida A&M.

Yahkee Johnson (RB/Hampton) Johnson rushed for a season-high 144 yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns to help the Pirates defeat Howard.

Brandon Parker (LT/North Carolina A&T State) Parker graded out at 87 percent and accounted for four pancake blocks as the Aggies amassed 358 total yards of offense against North Carolina Central.

Anthony Philyaw (RB/Howard) Philyaw rushed for 112 yards on 19 carries; including a 43-yard touchdown. Philyaw also added 15 yards on two receptions at Hampton.

Aaron Savage (RB/Norfolk State) Savage totaled 108 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns to lead Norfolk State to a win over Morgan State.

Dominique Smith (LB/Howard) Smith recorded 11 tackles (5 solos) and a pair of tackles for a loss against Hampton.

Jamari Smith (RB/North Carolina A&T State) Smith rushed for 99 yards on 14 carries and secured a pair of receptions for an additional 23 yards in the win over North Carolina Central.

Steven Smith, Jr. (LB/Hampton) Smith captured career highs of 13 tackles, two sacks, and 2.5 tackles for loss as Hampton protected their home field with a win over Howard.

Ryan Stanley (QB/Florida A&M) Stanley completed 16-of-28 passes for a total of 236 yards; including a 31-yard touchdown against Bethune-Cookman.

Jeremy Taylor (LB/North Carolina A&T State) Taylor led the Aggies in tackles and tackles for loss recording 10 tackles (6 solos); including three tackles for a loss. Taylor also accounted for a pass breakup and a forced fumble against North Carolina Central.

J.T. Wahee (DB/Norfolk State) Wahee recorded a career-high 11 tackles (9 solos) and also had a career-high two tackles for a loss. He also recorded a key interception that ended Morgan State’s last drive.

Jakaris Wilson (LB/Florida A&M) Wilson secured 10 tackles (4 solos) and a tackle for a loss in the contest against Bethune Cookman.

Isaiah Winstead (WR/ Norfolk State) Winstead led the Spartans in receiving yards with four receptions for a career-high 63 yards and a touchdown defeating Morgan State on the road.