10. Terrance Hoover, Delaware State – 3,517
Hoover played at Delaware State from 1984 through 1987. He averaged 6.0 yards per carry, still good for sixth all-time in conference history. In 1985 he averaged an amazing 8.6 yards per carry. His rushing totals likely would have been higher if he didn’t have to share carries with Barnes for the majority of his career.
9. Mike Mayhew, NC A&T – 3,521
Mayhew left Greensboro as A&T’s all-time leading rusher only to be supplanted by another legend. The workhorse back ran 761 times, good for fourth all-time in conference history and was named MEAC Rookie of the Year (2009) and Offensive Player of The Year (2011).
8. Deangelo Branche, Norfolk State – 3,678
Norfolk State has had a lot of great running backs across its program’s history, but none have rushed for more than Branche. The Norfolk native was a big component of NSU’s offense, carrying the ball 741 times, good for fifth on the MEAC’s all-time list. The 2010 season he carried the ball 272 times, including 41 against Savannah State. He’s also fifth in conference history with 36 rushing touchdowns.
7. DeShawn Baker, South Carolina State – 3,702
Baker was the first offensive star of the Buddy Pough Era at South Carolina State. He carried the ball 673 times and ran for 33 touchdowns. As a senior in 2006 he was named MEAC Offensive Player of The Year.
6. Montrell Coley, Hampton – 3,838
Hampton was the new kid on the MEAC block when Coley arrived in 1997. By the time he finished his career in 2000 his name was all over the MEAC record books. He put the Pirate offense on his back in 2000, carrying the ball 307 times, a record that stands 20 years later, while averaging 144.3 yards per game for a total of 1,582 yards.
He found the end zone an amazing 20 times that season, another record that he still holds. His 49 career touchdowns would later be eclipsed by Hampton great Alonzo Coleman’s 62, but his senior season scoring record of 107 points still stands.