LB Allen Stephens, OL Lawrence Brewer and P Nicholas Adams
NORFOLK, Va. – Three Morgan State University football players were named to the Preseason All-MEAC Teams during the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Football Press Luncheon on Friday at the Waterfront Marriott.
In addition, the Bears were picked to finish sixth in the conference this season, earning 250 points. South Carolina State, which has won or shared the MEAC title the last three seasons, was tabbed the preseason favorite with 468 points and six first-place votes. The other two squads to tie with SCSU for the MEAC crown last year – Bethune-Cookman (eight first-place votes, 454 points) and Florida A&M (five, 420) – were second and third, respectively. Hampton (one, 321) was predicted fourth.
Senior offensive lineman Lawrence Brewer was the lone Bear named to the Preseason All-MEAC First Team, while junior linebacker Allen Stephens and junior punter Nicholas Adams were Second Team selections.
Brewer, a Second Team All-MEAC and Commissioner's All-Academic Team selection last season, has started in every game since joining the Bears. The 6-foot-6, 300-pounder is among the league's most consistent linemen and will once again man his left tackle position where he has become a premier run- and pass blocker for the Bears.
Stephens, who was second on the team with 65 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss season, returns as one of the league's top defenders. Already being mentioned in the same breath as recent MSU standouts Albert Gamble, Vincent Brown and Jerrell Guyton, Stephens will definitely be one to watch this season.
Adams was named Second Team All-MEAC after completing the 2010 season ranked 2nd in the MEAC, averaging 39.6 yards per punt, including 17 placed inside the 20 yard-line. Adams possesses a potent combination of leg power and accuracy and is expected to be one of the top punters in the league.
Delaware State wide receiver Justin Wilson was named the MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Bethune-Cookman linebacker Ryan Lewis was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Following MSU in the preseason poll in seventh through 11th places were new MEAC member North Carolina Central, Delaware State, North Carolina A&T, Howard and another MEAC newcomer, Savannah State, was picked last.
Preseason Predicted Order of Finish (first-place votes in parentheses)?
1. South Carolina State (6) 468?
2. Bethune-Cookman (8) 454?
3. Florida A&M (5) 420?
4. Hampton (1) 321?
5. Norfolk State (1) 274?
6. Morgan State 250?
7. North Carolina Central 162?
8. Delaware State 158?
9. North Carolina A&T 128?
10. Howard 96?
11. Savannah State (1) 63
The Bears will open the 2011 season on Saturday, Sept. 3 against Towson. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. For more information on Morgan State University football, please call the Office of Media Relations at (443) 885-3831, or visit the official Bears website at www.morganstatebears.com.
