NORFOLK, Va. (November 26, 2018) – The Morgan State football team had six student-athletes recognized when the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Teams were released Monday afternoon.

It marks the most selections since the Bears had eight named to the 2014 All-MEAC Team.

Linebacker Ian McBorrough and defensive back Donte Small earned first-team All-MEAC recognition, while Rico Kennedy and linebacker Damare' Whitaker earned second-team honors. Offensive lineman Joshua Miles was selected to the third team along with placekicker Alex Raya.

McBorrough led the Bears on defense as one of the league's premier pass rushers. The junior ranked No. 3 in the league with six sacks and ranked 15th in tackles for loss (9). He completed the season with 79 tackles, including two fumble recoveries. He also had a 30-yard interception return against Howard (Oct. 20).

Small was recognized as a standout in the Bears' secondary. The Union, N.J. native led the league with four interceptions. He collected three of his picks at UAlbany (Sept. 15), including one he returned 45 yards for a touchdown. Small ranked T-No. 7 in the nation in passes defended (15) and ranked fifth on the team with 31 tackles (28 solo) from his cornerback position.

Whitaker had a fantastic season from his linebacker position. He ranked No. 2 in the league with 91 tackles and ranked T-No. 14 in the nation with 64 solo stops. He also had 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. Whitaker recorded a season-high 13 tackles during the Bears' upset win at No. 4 ranked North Carolina A&T (Sept. 22).

Kennedy earned his second consecutive All-MEAC selection. The redshirt junior finished third on the team with 61 tackles (33 solo). He also ranked T-No. 8 in sacks (4.5) and T-No. 10 in the MEAC with 10 tackles for loss. The Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) product also led the team with seven quarterback hurries.

Miles was the lone offensive selection for the Bears. The Baltimore product started in every game and was named the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week three times during the season. Miles allowed just a single sack all year and helped lead the Bears offense to 3,250 total yards, including 1,812 yards on the ground. He paved the way for running back Josh Chase who ranked among the league's leaders with 514 yards.

Raya turned in one of the best seasons of his collegiate career. The senior finished the 2018 campaign by connecting of 10 of 14 field goal tries (ranked No. 4 in the MEAC), including a career-high 51-yarder and a 36-yard game-winner at No. 4 North Carolina A&T (Sept. 22). He led the team in scoring with 45 points and averaged 58.6 yards per kickoff, including a league best 30 touchbacks.

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Champion North Carolina A&T State University dominated the 2018 All-MEAC Football Team with seven student-athletes named to the first team. The Aggies will play in its second Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game will be televised at 12 noon EST on ABC. 

North Carolina A&T State's Micah Shaw was named MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year. It's the fourth straight season the Aggies have had the top offensive lineman in the league. Howard University freshman Dedrick Parson was tabbed as the league's Freshman of the Year while North Carolina A&T State's Sam Washington was selected as Coach of the Year.

In a partnership with the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame, the league's Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year will be announced as part of the festivities surrounding the 61^st NFF Annual Awards Dinner, Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Hilton Midtown in New York City. The event will be will be live streamed on ESPN3, starting at 8:30 p.m. ET.

For the complete 2018 All-MEAC teams click here 

Offensive Lineman of the Year: Micah Shaw, North Carolina A&T State
Rookie of the Year: Dedrick Parson, Howard
Coach of the Year: Sam Washington, North Carolina A&T State

Bears selected to the 2018 All-MEAC Team include:
 
First Team
LB Ian McBorrough 
DB Donte Small 

Second Team
DL Rico Kennedy 
LB Damare' Whitaker 

Third Team
OL Joshua Miles
PK Alex Raya
 
 
ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.