NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State University wide receiver Marcus Taylor was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday. Norfolk State linebacker Anthony Smith was named the STATS FCS National and MEAC Defensive Player of the Week while Hampton’s Gibril Ghee received Offensive Lineman of the Week honors. Norfolk State’s Juwan Carter earned Rookie of the Week honors while Norfolk State punter Taylor Goettie was tabbed as the Specialist of the Week.
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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
MARCUS TAYLOR
NORFOLK STATE
WR
5-8, 180, JR.
HIGHLAND SPRINGS, VA.
Taylor played a big role with a career-best performance in Norfolk State’s win over No. 25 North Carolina Central on Saturday as he caught eight receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns. The Highland Springs, Va. native scored on a 42-yard swing pass in the second quarter and a 58-yard catch and run in the fourth that helped NSU keep the lead for good en route to his second straight 100-yard receiving game. Taylor also played a big role on special teams as he totaled 52 yards on four returns.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
ANTHONY SMITH
NORFOLK STATE
LB
6-0, 230, R-SR.
NORFOLK, VA.
Smith matched his career high with 18 tackles (one for loss), two interceptions and a forced fumble as the Spartans defeated North Caroline Central for the first time since 1995. Smith had one interception in NCCU territory that set up a second-quarter NSU touchdown as his second pick sealed the win in NSU territory with less than a minute left. The Norfolk native also forced a fumble at the NSU 1-yard line as NCCU was going in for the tying score in the first quarter, which the Spartans recovered.
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OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
GIBRIL GHEE
HAMPTON
C
6-1, 307, R-SO.
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA.
Ghee led an offensive line that produced a season-high 405 yards of total offense in Hampton’s win over Florida A&M. He allowed no sacks and had three pancake blocks as it marked the second straight game the offense had no turnovers.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
JUWAN CARTER
NORFOLK STATE
QB
6-0, 170, FR.
RICHMOND, VA.
Carter completed 18-of-32 passes for 230 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in NSU’s win over North Carolina Central. He was also NSU’s top rusher and finished with 253 yards of total offense.
SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK
TAYLOR GOETTIE
NORFOLK STATE
P
6-0, 185, FR.
LEXINGTON, GA.
Goettie punted eight times for a 40.1-yard average as he placed three punts inside the NCCU 20 as two landed inside the Eagles’ 10-yard line.
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