MEAC Weekly Awards, Franklin McCain comes up big

NORFOLK, Va. – Hampton running back Yahkee Johnson was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday. North Carolina A&T State’s Franklin McCain III was named the Defensive Player and Rookie of the Week.

North Carolina A&T State’s Brandon Parker was named Offensive Lineman of the Week while Delaware State punter Fidel Romo-Martinez was selected as Specialist of the Week.

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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

YAHKEE JOHNSON
HAMPTON
RB
5-7, 160, SR.
RICHMOND, VA.

Johnson ran for 132 yards on 12 attempts and scored three touchdowns in Hampton’s 59-0 win over Livingstone. The senior from Richmond opened the second half with a 73-yard run and averaged 11 yards per carry. Johnson also had 17 receiving yards to finish with 149 all-purpose yards.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK / ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

FRANKLIN MCCAIN III
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE
CB
5-11, 174, R-FR.
GREENSBORO, N.C.

#NCAATop10 #UndefeatedTop10 @NCATAGGIES Mac McCain takes it to the house with Pick-6 game-winner. #EspnTop10 @FCS_STATS @NCAA_FCS pic.twitter.com/JZcRtLspia

— N.C. A&T Athletics (@NCATAGGIES) September 18, 2017

Franklin McCain intercepted two passes in North Carolina A&T State’s win over FBS foe Charlotte on Saturday evening. McCain’s first interception early in the third quarter led to an Aggie touchdown on the ensuing drive. The redshirt freshmen’s second interception was the biggest of his young career as he returned it 74 yards for a touchdown with 24 seconds remaining. Prior to the interception, Charlotte was within three points and driving for the potential game-tying field goal or go-ahead touchdown.

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OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK

BRANDON PARKER
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE
OL
6-7, 309, R-SR.
KANNAPOLIS, N.C.

Parker posted one of his highest grades ever against FBS competition as the Aggies totaled 420 yards of offense at Charlotte last weekend. The senior from Kannapolis, N.C. graded out at 90 percent and recorded three pancake blocks.

SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK

FIDEL ROMO-MARTINEZ
DELAWARE STATE
P
6-1, 190, SO.
BANNING, CALIF.

Romo-Martinez averaged 48 yards on seven punts at West Virginia on Saturday. The sophomore from Banning, Calif. totaled 336 yards and recorded four punts of 50-plus yards with a long of 57 while placing one punt inside the 20-yard line.