Five Bears Named to All-MEAC Football Team

By: MSU Athletic Communications

Football | 11/26/2019 12:32:00 PM

NORFOLK, Va. (November 26, 2019) – The Morgan State football team had five student-athletes recognized when the 2019 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Teams were released Tuesday morning.

Linebackers Ian McBorrough and Rico Kennedy earned first-team All-MEAC recognition, while defensive lineman Malachi Washington and defensive back Carl Garnes earned second-team honors. Wide receiver Manasseh Bailey was selected to the third team.

McBorrough led the Bears as one of the league's premier linebackers. The senior led the MEAC with a career-high 110 total tackles and he also ranked T-11th in tackles for loss (10). He also had five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and two sacks.

Kennedy earned his third consecutive All-MEAC selection and finished the season third in the MEAC in tackles with 105, averaging 8.8 per game, and he led the conference with 16.0 tackles for loss -- 4.5 of which are sacks. The Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) product also added two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on the year.

Washington had a solid season as an edge rusher for the Bears. He ranked No. 5^th on the team  42 tackles (21 solo) and ranked 6^th in the league with 12.5 tackles for loss and was 8^th in sacks (5.0). He also had six QB hurries, a blocked a kick, and had a 35-yard fumble return for a touchdown on Sept. 28 against North Carolina Central.

Garnes was recognized as a standout in the Bears' secondary. The Columbus, N.J. native ranked T-3^rd in the league with 13 passes defended. He ranked 2^nd with 11 breakups on the season, including a pair of interceptions. Garnes ranked fourth on the team with 48 tackles (35 solo) from his cornerback position.

Bailey set school records in a number of categories during his final collegiate season. The Capitol Heights (Md.) native finished the season ranked 3^rd in the MEAC in receiving yards (996 yds) – it ranks as the 2^nd highest total in Morgan State history behind Clarence Holzendorf (1,702 yds; 1993). Bailey also ranked among the league leaders: 3^rd in reception TDs (10), 4^th in receptions (54),  6^th in scoring TDs (11), and 8^th in scoring (68 pts).

Florida A&M (6) and North Carolina A&T State (4) led the way in this year's All-MEAC football voting with a combined 10 student-athletes named to the first team. The team was voted on by the MEAC's head football coaches and sports information directors.

The Aggies will play in its third Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game will be televised at 12 noon EST on ABC.

North Carolina A&T State's Marcus Pettiford was named MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year. It's the fifth straight season the Aggies have had the top offensive lineman in the league. South Carolina State University's freshman Corey Fields was tabbed as the league's Freshman of the Year and Buddy Pough 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 62th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Hilton Midtown in New York City. The event will be streamed live at 9:30 a.m. on the NFF's website.

For the complete 2019 All-MEAC teams click here

Offensive Lineman of the Year: Marcus Pettiford, North Carolina A&T State
Rookie of the Year: Corey Fields, South Carolina State
Coach of the Year: Buddy Pough, South Carolina State

Bears selected to the 2019 All-MEAC Team include:

First Team
LB Ian McBorrough
LB Rico Kennedy

Second Team
DL Malachi Washington
DB Carl Garnes

Third Team
WR Manasseh Bailey

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.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Manasseh Bailey: WR; 6' 1"; Junior

#2 Carl Garnes: DB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior

#28 Rico Kennedy: LB; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior

#5 Ian McBorrough: LB; 6' 2"; Junior

#10 Malachi Washington: DE; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#13 Manasseh Bailey
: 6' 1"; Junior
: WR

#2 Carl Garnes
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior
: DB

#28 Rico Kennedy
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior
: LB

#5 Ian McBorrough
: 6' 2"; Junior
: LB

#10 Malachi Washington
: 6' 2"; Senior
: DE