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| Southern’s Dray Joseph has been as good as advertised in 2013. (Crowd Cam photo) |
Before the start of the season, we listed our top quarterbacks in each of the four HBCU divisions. With the season at or near its halfway point for most teams, we figured we’d update you on their progress, or lack thereof.
Most Improved
Richard Cue, South Carolina State
Last season, Cue was erratic, and the entire offense followed suit. He completed just 49 percent of his passes and threw 14 interceptions to just 11 touchdowns. Through six games this season, Cue is completing a shade under 54 percent of his passes but has thrown for three times as many many touchdowns (9) as interceptions (3). As a result, South Carolina State is now 4-2 and in the race for the MEAC championship.
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| Damien Flemming and FAMU have struggled in 2013. (Zimbio photo) |
Most Disappointing
Damien Fleming, FAMU
Coming into the season, we had Fleming ranked as the best quarterback in the MEAC. He was coming off a productive sophomore season in which he made few mistakes and a lot of big plays. This year, things seem to have gone in reverse. The Rattlers have lost four games in a row, including Saturday’s loss to previously winless Morgan State. There’s still a lot of football left to be played, but Fleming and the Rattlers need to get it together quick.
Best Newcomer
Daniel Duhart, Alabama State
Perhaps the biggest storyline for Alabama State coming into the 2013 season was who would be the team’s quarterback. Sophomore Daniel Duhart emerged from the pack, and so far, he looks like the right choice. While he isn’t technically a newcomer, this is his first season as THE guy at ASU. Duhart has thrown nine touchdowns passes to just two interceptions, leading Alabama State to a 4-2 record.
Top Five
1) Dray Joseph, Southern
Southern may not be happy with its 2-3 record, but you can’t put much of that on Dray Joesph and the Southern offense. Joseph has continued the success he experienced as a junior in 2012, completing a sizzling 67.5 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns to just two interceptions.
2) Michael German/Rod Butler, Tennessee State
Other than an uneven start against Bethune-Cookman, where Butler had to carry the load alone on his first game, this duo has been lights out. The two have combined for 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions, none of them by German.
3) Jerry Lovelocke, Prairie View
Lovelock spent his first two seasons splitting time with De’Autre Smiley. Prairie View continued that trend early in this season, but since Lovelock has assumed primary duties as signal caller, Prairie View’s season has taken off and the Panthers have won three of their past four games, including a big win over Stephen F. Austin. Lovelock has thrown for 10 touchdowns and tossed just three interceptions.
4) Richard Cue, SC State
As we said above, as Cue goes, so goes South Carolina State.
5) Jordan Reid, NCCU
We went back and forth between Reid and Howard’s Greg McGhee, but in the end, Reid won out. Reid’s stats may not be as guady as McGhee’s but his team’s record is better, and he has made several big plays to contribute to that. He’s gotten it done with both his legs and arm, leading NCCU to three wins and giving FCS power Towson all it could handle in a tough loss. He’s the kind of leader you want behind the center.