Morgan State University Athletics

BALTIMORE, Md. -- Six Morgan State Bears were recognized when the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Teams were released today led by offensive lineman Karim Barton and punter Lawrence Forbes who were selected to the first team.
 
Barton, a senior from Los Angeles, Calif., aided a Bears offense that accumulated 3,716 yards of total offense, including 2,193 yards on the ground. Barton paved the way for one of the league's top ground gainers in Lamont Brown III (729 yds; No. 6 in MEAC) and also the No. 3 ranked rushing offense in the league. Barton is the first All-MEAC first team selection since Dwayne Delaney in 2008.
 
Forbes, an Upper Marlboro (Md.) native, had an outstanding season for the Bears. The redshirt-freshman led the MEAC by averaging 43.8 yards per punt, including 11 punts of over 50 yards, 15 punts landed inside the 20 yardline and a season-high 78-yarder.
 
Forbes completed the regular season ranked No. 9 in the Football Championship Subdivison (FCS) and he became just the third Bear punter in school history to be named to the All-MEAC first team. Steve Turpin was a first team punter selection in 1974 and 1975, followed by Allen Rose in 1977.
 
Offensive lineman Darren Pinnock and return specialist Tubotein Taylor were selected to the All-MEAC Second Team, while running back Lamont Brown and linebacker Cody Acker were named to the Third Team.
 
Overall, the Bears finished with a 5-7 record and a 5-3 mark in MEAC competition. Morgan State also completed the regular season ranked T-No. 10 in the BoxToRow Black College Coaches Poll.
 
South Carolina State led all schools with 13 student-athletes recognized on the three MEAC post-season teams. The Bulldogs have five student-athletes earn first-team honors, in addition to two-of-four top awards.
 
Bethune-Cookman finished close behind with 12 student-athletes to earn post-season honors, in addition to five first team selections.
 
Howard quarterback Greg McGhee was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, while Joe Thomas of South Carolina State was named Defensive Player of the Year. North Carolina A&T's Tarik Cohen was named the MEAC Rookie of the Year, and South Carolina State's Tristan Bellamy earned Offensive Lineman of the Year honors.
 
Brian Jenkins of MEAC champion Bethune-Cookman was named Coach of the Year.
 
2013 All-MEAC Team