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It's not a big surprise that Devan James has emerged as the leading rusher in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

James, Morgan State's terrific running back, had a chance to play with Chad Simpson, who was one of the best tailbacks in the country last season. Now Simpson is playing for the Indianapolis Colts, and James has picked up where he left off.

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"He's a young man who has waited his turn behind Chad Simpson," said Morgan State head coach Donald Hill-Eley. "It just adds motivation to this kid. It also speaks to those guys up front. He has a good group of offensive linemen. He gets a good push. He's doing a good job of upholding our great tradition of running the football."

A year ago, Simpson set a single-season rushing mark with 1,402 yards. James watched Simpson run through and around defenders all year. But James did get an opportunity to display his talents, gaining 366 yards on 85 carries in 2007.

He has really stepped up this season, rushing for a career-high 219 yards in a 31-30 victory over Howard on Oct. 18.

James, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound junior, has gained 978 yards on 200 attempts. He is averaging 122.2 yards a game. Hill-Eley feels Simpson paved the way for James to become a huge player offensively.

"Well, any time you can go from carrying it eight to 10 times a game to carrying it 20 times a game, that's going to help you, anyway," Hill-Eley said. "I think just being able to watch a guy become a pro. We always watched Chad in practice. Every carry that he had he used to run it to the end zone. Devan has picked up that trait. Whenever he touches the ball he goes into the end zone and runs back for the next rep. In order to be good in anything, you have to give a good effort. He got a chance to see that the energy paid off for Chad in those games. He's doing those same things in practice. He's not just going through the motions."

James played his scholastic football at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Fla. He'll return to his home state Saturday when Morgan State (5-3 overall, 3-1 MEAC) battles Florida A&M (6-2, 2-2). James should be a cinch to break the 1,000-yard mark in this contest, and the Bears will need a strong effort from him, as they're in contention for the league championship.

James has been a key player in all of the opposing teams' scouting reports. Every team has attempted to slow him down, but he has scored seven touchdowns and averaged 4.9 yards a carry this season. It's been a challenge for Hill-Eley to keep the ball in the hands of his best player.

"Every week they key on him," Hill-Eley said. "As coaches, you just have to find a way to combat what they're doing to get him the football. We know he's a big part of our offense. We have to find ways, whether it's going to be from the exchange from the quarterback, throwing the ball to him or getting him the ball on a check down. We have to find a way to get the ball into his hands and get him his normal touches."

HBCU notes

• South Carolina State RB Travil Jamison has been named the MEAC offensive player of the week. Jamison recorded 151 yards on 10 attempts with four touchdowns to help give South Carolina State a 35-13 win over Hampton.

• Bethune-Cookman defensive back Travis Roland earned MEAC defensive player of the week honors. Roland led the Wildcats with nine tackles (eight solo), including four for a loss of 17 yards. He also picked up three sacks for a 14-yard loss, broke up a pass and forced and recovered a fumble to help Bethune-Cookman to a 27-6 victory over Winston-Salem.

• Florida A&M place-kicker Trevor Scott was named the MEAC special teams player of the week. Scott was 4-for-4 in extra-point attempts and nailed a 26-yard field goal with four seconds remaining to give the Rattlers a 31-28 victory over Norfolk State.

• Prairie View A&M RB Donald Babers was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference offensive player of the week. Babers ran 25 times for 116 yards and had four receptions for 26 yards in the Panthers' 24-23 win over Southern.

• Prairie View linebacker Zach East was chosen the SWAC defensive player of the week. East made 13 tackles (seven solo), had 1.5 for loss and one interception -- which was returned 20 yards for a touchdown -- while helping spark the Panthers to their come-from-behind win.

• Bryant Lee, Southern's junior QB, continues to put up impressive numbers. Lee passed for 338 yards, going 27-for-48 with two touchdowns and one interception, and rushed for 35 yards in Southern's loss to Prairie View.

Donald Hunt is a columnist for The Philadelphia Tribune. You can reach him at dhunt37261@aol.com.