ORANGEBURG, SC—South Carolina State redshirt junior linebacker Darius Leonard was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference  (MEAC) Defense Player of the Week, the league announced.
 
Leonard (6-2, 225, r-Jr.) the Lake View, SC native and 2016 MEAC Preseason MEAC Defense Player of the Year recorded a game-high 16 tackles on the road at Central Florida. He also broke up and defended a pair of passes in addition to forcing a fumble early in the third quarter.
 
The All-American linebacker was also named Sports Madness Defense Player of the Week, for his play on defense versus UCF.
 
Also earning honors around the league were, North Carolina A&T State quarterback Lamar Raynard was named Offense Player of the Week, while teammate Brandon Parker earned Offensive Lineman of the Week honors.

Khris Gardin of North Carolina A&T earned Specialist of the Week and Howard's Kyle Anthony was named Rookie of the Week, respectively.

NOTABLE PERFORMERS
Colby Blanton (P/FAMU)
Averaged 39.8 yards per punt on eight punts with a long of 51 yards.

Walter Brantly IV (DE/NSU)
Compiled a half-a-sack and forced a fumble, which he also recovered, that ended an early fourth-quarter Viking drive.

Bishop Ford (KR/SCSU)
Returned five kickoff returns for 103 yards along with two receptions for 23 yards. Finished with 128 all-purpose yards.

Greg Hankerson, Jr. (QB/NSU)
Hankerson, Jr. led Norfolk State to its first season-opening win since 2012 as the senior amassed 205 yards of total offense. The Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. native passed for 151 yards and tossed two touchdown passes while also rushing for 54 yards on 13 attempts. 

Ron Hunt (WR/NCAT)
Caught two receptions for 62 yards and scored his first career touchdown in his Aggie debut.

Alden McClellon (DB/NCCU)
Recorded team-high 8 tackles (5 solo), including 2.5 takedowns for a loss of 12 yards and an unassisted sack with a forced fumble against ACC opponent Duke University.

Brandon McLaren (PK/NCCU)
Accounted for all of NCCU's scoring at Duke with a pair of field goals, including a career-long 48-yard boot, the longest field goal by an Eagle since 2013.

Joshua Patrick (LB/NCAT)
Patrick caused a fumble on a sack in the first half that led to the Aggies' first touchdown of the game. He also made five solo tackles and two sacks.

Jerome Pettiway (P/SCSU)
Averaged 38 yards per punt on nine punts. Finished with 342 total punting yards with two punts inside the 20.

Bobby Price (DB/NSU)
Led NSU in tackles with eight, starting the game at free safety in his first game in a Spartan uniform.

Elijah Price (DE/FAMU)
Led the Rattlers with five tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss.

Rashawn Proctor (WR/Hampton)
Finished the season opener with 161 receiving yards on 9 receptions at Old Dominion. 

Lamar Raynard (QB/NCAT)
Accounted for three of the Aggies' nine touchdowns on Saturday as he threw two and had one rushing touchdown. 

Devin Vandyke (LB/Hampton)
Compiled 10 tackles, a half-tackle for loss and a fumble recovery in his Pirate debut at Old Dominion.

Caleb York (QB/SCSU)
Finished 15-for-35 with 134 yards passing while also rushing for 38 yards on 10 carries at UCF.