It's always nice to have a wide receiver who can make the big catch when the game is on the line. Bethune-Cookman redshirt sophomore Jawill Davis did just that Saturday to help the Wildcats edge host Grambling State in a high-scoring affair, 56-53, in Grambling, Louisiana, the final MEAC and SWAC matchup before the inaugural Celebration Bowl in December.
The 5-foot-11, 177-pound Davis earned ESPN.com HBCU Player of the Week honors against the Tigers, posting a career-best eight receptions for a career-high 199 yards and two touchdowns in Bethune-Cookman's late rally.
Moments after Davis' first career TD reception of 29 yards, with 3:37 remaining, the Wildcats were down 46-41. B-CU quarterback Quentin Williams (17-for-22, 244 yards, 3 TDs) threw a 28-yard pass to Davis for the score that shifted the momentum.
Among those impressed by Davis' break-out performance is Bethune-Cookman head coach Terry Sims. "Jawill, first of all, is a talented young player," Sims said. "We've known that for a couple years now. We were actually just waiting for Jawill to come out, and on Saturday he grew up. He made a lot of big plays for us. He was the guy who stepped up and took the game in his hands and made it possible for us to come out.
"He has a love for studying the game, and not just worrying about going out and playing. He studies his opponent and makes sure that he's doing all the necessary things, whether in the classroom studying or in the meeting room, or on the field or extra work before practice and after practice. He's doing all the little things that good players do."
In its home opener this Saturday, B-CU (1-1) will host Lane College for a nonconference HBCU matchup at Municipal Stadium at Larry Kelly Field, also known as "The Cage," in Daytona Beach, Florida. Expect Davis to key the Wildcats' passing attack.
MEAC Players of the Week: Bethune-Cookman wide receiver Jawill Davis was named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week after his eight receptions for a career-high 199 yards and 2 TDs. Delaware State defensive back Terrick Colston was selected as the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week. Colston forced, recovered and returned a fumble 72 yards for a touchdown against Kent State. He also had 15 total tackles, seven solo tackles, and broke up one pass.
SWAC Players of the Week: Alcorn State quarterback John Gibbs Jr. was named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week. Gibbs had more than 350 yards of offense in the Braves' 31-14 win over Alabama State. He completed 26 of 33 passes for 305 yards and a TD, and contributed 46 yards and another TD on the ground. Southern linebacker Kentavious Preston was chosen as the SWAC Defensive Player of the Week. Preston led Southern to a 50-13 victory over Mississippi Valley State with 11 tackles, 2.5 for loss and one sack.
Also noteworthy for Southern, Willie Quinn put on quite a show. The 5-foot-5, 145-pound return specialist was named the STATS FCS Special Teams and SWAC Player of the Week after a 39-yard punt return for a touchdown and an 90-yard kickoff return for a score in the Jaguars' big win over the Delta Devils. Quinn also threw an 89-yard TD pass.
HBCU polls
SBN Sports Network Black College Football Poll
1. Alcorn State (1-1)
2. North Carolina A&T (1-1)
3. Bethune-Cookman (1-1)
4. Southern (1-1)
5. Tennessee State (2-0)
6. Grambling State (0-2)
7. Tuskegee (2-0)
8. North Carolina Central (1-1)
9. South Carolina State (1-1)
10. Hampton (1-1)
Heritage Sports Radio Network, Div. I FCS Poll
1. Alcorn State (1-1)
2. Tennessee State (2-0)
3. North Carolina A&T (1-1)
4. Bethune-Cookman (1-1)
5. South Carolina State (1-1)
6. Hampton (1-1)
6. Southern (1-1)
8. North Carolina Central (1-1)
9. Prairie View A&M (1-1)
10. Texas Southern (1-1)
Boxtorow HBCU Football Media Top Poll
1. Tennessee State (2-0)
2. North Carolina A&T (1-1)
3. South Carolina State (1-1)
4. Alcorn State (1-1)
5. Tuskegee (2-0)
6. North Carolina Central (1-1)
7. Bethune-Cookman (1-1)
8. Southern (1-1)
9. Prairie View A&M (1-1)
10. Hampton (1-1)
"Mount Rushmore" of HBCU football
The Mount Rushmore National Memorial has presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Here's my Mount Rushmore for HBCU football: Grambling State's Eddie Robinson, Jackson State's Walter Payton, Mississippi Valley State's Jerry Rice and Grambling State's Doug Williams.
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