{"id":42308,"date":"2020-04-28T16:18:56","date_gmt":"2020-04-28T20:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hbcugameday.com\/?p=42308"},"modified":"2020-04-29T12:52:16","modified_gmt":"2020-04-29T16:52:16","slug":"top-15-meac-rushers-of-all-time-tarik-cohen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hbcugameday.com\/2020\/04\/28\/top-15-meac-rushers-of-all-time-tarik-cohen\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 15 MEAC Rushers of All-Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With a few exceptions, the MEAC has been a run-oriented league for most of the last 40 years. That makes it a conference that allows running backs to shine.

We\u2019ve pulled out some information about the top 15 all-time leading rushers in conference history. To be sure there are other backs like Maurice Hicks of NC A&T who didn\u2019t quite play long enough to get into this club, but did leave their impact on the record books.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Before we dive into the top 10, here are the five who just missed the cut:

15. Richard Pompey, FAMU <\/strong>(2002-05) \u2013 3,006
14. Gene Lake, Delaware State<\/strong> (1982-84) \u2013 3,123
13. Reggie Barnes, Delaware State<\/strong> (1985-1988) \u2013 3,282
12. Isisore Jackson, Bethune-Cookman<\/strong> (2010-13) \u2013 3,277
11. Tony Barber, Florida A&M (1983-86)<\/strong> \u2013 3,278<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Terrance<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

10. Terrance Hoover, Delaware State \u2013 3,517<\/strong>

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\u2019t have to share carries with Barnes for the majority of his career.
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9.<\/strong> Mike Mayhew, NC A&T \u2013 3,521<\/strong>

Mayhew left Greensboro as A&T\u2019s 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).
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\"DeAngelo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

8. Deangelo Branche, Norfolk State \u2013 3,678<\/strong>

Norfolk State has had a lot of great running backs across its program\u2019s history, but none have rushed for more than Branche. The Norfolk native was a big component of NSU\u2019s offense, carrying the ball 741 times, good for fifth on the MEAC\u2019s all-time list. The 2010 season he carried the ball 272 times, including 41 against Savannah State. He\u2019s also fifth in conference history with 36 rushing touchdowns.
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7. DeShawn Baker, South Carolina State \u2013 3,702<\/strong>

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Montrell Coley, Hampton \u2013 3,838<\/strong>

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s 62, but his senior season scoring record of 107 points still stands.
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\"Michael<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Michael Hicks, South Carolina State \u2013 4,093<\/strong>

Hicks committed to UGA out of high school, but academic problems meant pushed him to SC State. He burst on to the scene as a sophomore in 1993 with 1,426 yards for SCSU, then carried the ball 252 times in 1994 and scored 132 points. He finished his career with 316 points, a mark only surpassed by Coley\u2019s 326. Hicks was selected by the Chicago Bears in 1996 following his 1995 MEAC Offensive Player of The Year season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Harvey Reed, Howard University \u2013 4,142<\/strong>

Easily the greatest running back in school history, Reed\u2019s name is still all over the MEAC record books more than 30 years after playing his last down. His yardage total reigned supreme in the conference for nearly 20 years before being broken. He ranks fourth in yardage despite eight backs with more carries than his 635, which he accomplished in 10 game seasons compared to 11 and 12 games for his successors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reed averaged 6.5 yards per carry for his career, second behind former A&T running back Maurice Hicks and scored 20 touchdowns on the ground as a senior while run-in for 1,512 yards in just 10 games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alonzo Coleman was a key factor in Hampton’s 2000s three-peat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Alonzo Coleman, Hampton University \u2013 4,648<\/strong>

Coleman stepped into the footsteps of Coley and re-wrote both the school and conference record books for a powerhouse Hampton team with a smashmouth style. He hit the ground running, literally, as a freshman in 2003 by scoring 18 touchdowns en-route to MEAC Rookie of The Year honors. He would top that mark with 19 as a junior in 2005, when he would claim MEAC Offensive Players of The Year.

By the time Coleman finished his assault on the record books he would leave as the school and conference all-time leader in yardage, attempts (856) and touchdowns (62). His rushing touchdowns may stand for a while as no one else has even topped 50.
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2. Will Ford, South Carolina State \u2013 4,672
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Just as MEAC defenses were seeing Coleman off, here came South Carolina State speedster Will Ford. Ford was lightning in a bottle (his 6.4 yards per carry average is fifth in MEAC history) but also capable of carrying a heavy load, as his 763 attempts are third behind Coleman and Cohen. 

Ford carried the ball 246 times in 13 games in 2008, earning MEAC Offensive Player of The Year honors.
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  1. Tarik Cohen, North Carolina A&T \u2013 5,619<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Cohen entered A&T with little fan-fare and by the end of his college career was regarded as arguably the greatest offensive weapon in the conference\u2019s history. He started off strong as Rookie of The Year in 2013 and then proceeded to win three-consecutive Offensive Player of The Year awards (sharing in 2014 with Howard QB Greg McGhee) to close out his career.

    Cohen\u2019s final two seasons were ridiculous, as he rushed for 1,543 yards as a junior in 2015, including 295 yards against Alcorn State in the inaugural Celebration Bowl. He somehow saved the best for last as a senior in 2016, rushing for 1,588 yards and breaking several MEAC records while setting himself up for a pro career.

    In addition to setting a new yardage record, Cohen is the MEAC\u2019s all-time leader in carries (868), which is no small feat given his stature and playing in a pass-happy era. Cohen, of course, is currently a valued contributor with the Chicago Bears. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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