All-MEAC CB Darren McKhan (7) has Morgan State ranked as the No. 7 pass defense in the Football Championship Subdivison (FCS).
MSU vs. Bethune-Cookman Gamenotes
2009 MORGAN STATE FOOTBALL
Game Four
Saturday, October 3 - 4 p.m. (ET)
Morgan State (2-1, 0-0 MEAC) vs. Bethune-Cookman (0-3, 0-2 MEAC)
Daytona Beach, Fla. – Municipal Stadium (10,000)
Live Coverage
Radio: WEAA Radio (88.9 FM) in Baltimore, Md. Ryan Marshall (Play-by-Play) and Kelvin Bridgers (Color Analyst).
Live Stats
BEAR FACTS
2009 Record: 2-1
Head Coach: Donald Hill-Eley
Alma Mater/Year: Virginia Union/1991
Record at Bear/Year: 38-44/8th
Career Record/Years: Same
Football SID: Leonard L. Haynes IV
Office Phone: 443-885-3831
E-Mail: lhaynesiv@aol.com
Ticket Info: 443-885-3830
SERIES FACTS
Games Played: 24
Series Record: Bethune-Cookman leads 16-7
First Meeting: B-CU won 52-9 (1986)
Last Meeting: B-CU won, 31-27 at Hughes Stadium (Oct. 4, 2008)
Current Streak: B-CU 1
Hill vs. B-CU: 3-4
Setting the Scene: The Morgan State football team continues its 112th season of football on Saturday, Oct. 3 when they travel to play Bethune-Cookman in their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida. The contest will be broadcast live on WEAA, 88.9FM.
The Bears (2-1) will enter the game coming off their second win of the season when they outlasted cross-town rival Towson 12-9 at Hughes Stadium. Bethune-Cookman was drummed 40-14 at Norfolk State, dropping their record to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the MEAC.
MSU's win last Saturday improved head coach Donald Hill-Eley's all-time record to 38-44 three games into his eighth season at the helm. Hill's 38 wins since 2002, is good enough for third-best all-time record behind legendary coaches Edward P. Hurt and Earl. C. Banks. Kick-off is slated for 4:00 p.m. (EST). The game will be streamed LIVE on the internet at MorganStateBears.com.
Series Notes: MSU and Bethune-Cookman meet for the 24th time ... The two schools are 850 miles apart from each other... B-CU leads the series 16-7 and won the last game 31-27 on October 4, 2008 in Hughes Stadium ... The last time the Bears defeated B-CU was on September 27, 2007 at Municipal Stadium (33-9) ... During the 2008 matchup, QB Carlton Jackson completed 12-of-23 passes for 187 yards, including a 28 yard TD pass and an interception, while RB Devan James had 22 carries for a game-high 110 yards and a 2-yard TD ... The Wildcats are in search of its first victory and have been outscored in three games by a 84-23 margin ... The Wildcats recorded a 52-9 win against Morgan State in 1986 in the first meeting between the teams ... MSU's first win against B-CU was a 12-6 victory in 1986 ... Donald Hill-Eley has a 3-4 record against B-CU since he was named MSU's head coach in 2002 ... B-CU's last win was on Nov. 15, 2008.
BEAR VS. WILDCATS BATTLES
This weekend's game between Morgan State and Bethune-Cookman will mark the 24th time the two teams will meet on the gridiron. B-CU holds a commanding 16-5 edge in the series and has won three of the last five, but only 1 of the last 3. The Wildcats won 31-27 shootout in their last meeting at Hughes Stadium on Oct. 4, 2008.
OCTOBER CHALLENGES
The Bears have played 29 football games in the month of October underhead coach Donald Hill-Eley, posting an 18-12 (.600 pct.) record. The Bearshave also won 3 out of 4 overtime contests in the month of October underHill's direction...one of which was a 31-24 OT win vs. Bethune-Cookman onOctober 4, 2003 at Municipal Stadium.
MSU LOOKING TO START 3-1 FOR 1st TIME SINCE 1996
Morgan State is looking to start the season 3-1 for the first time since1996. Former MSU head coach Stump Mitchell opened his career witha 3-1 record...his first win at MSU was a 13-6 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 14 at Hughes Stadium.
ADAMS A BOOMING SUCCESS
Bears coach Donald Hill-Eley feels he may have oneof the best punters in theMEAC in redshirt freshman Nicholas Adams. Adams,a Fayetteville N.C. product,is currently averaging 37.7yards per punt and had aseason-high 45 yard bootagainst Towson last Saturday. Adams was alsoinstrumental in helping the Bears win the fieldposition battle in his team's win against theTowson. He averaged 38.4 yards on nine puntswith four inside the Tigers 20 yard line and onedowned on the one yard line. In addition tohis steady performance this season, Adamsmay also be one of the largest punters in thenation by standing 6-foot-2 and weighing inat 245 pounds...he brings back memories ofthree-time NFL Pro Bowl punter Reggie Roby,who was 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds.
HITMAN HOWARD
Senior linebacker George Howard is one of thetop returning tacklers in the MEAC. He totaled64 stops last seasonand was selected tothe 2009 Preseason All-MEAC Second-Team. The Virginia nativeplayed a significant role as a linebacker lastseason and posted 10.5 tackles for loss, 2.5sacks and recorded an interception returnagainst North Carolina Central (9/13/08).He is a fierce competitor and will be one ofthe leading anchors of the Bears defensiveunit for the '09 season. Howard racked-up17 tackles during the Bears overtime winagainst Winston-Salem State. As a result ofhis stellar performance, Howard was namedthe Classic's Defensive Most Valuable Player. Howard will enter the Bethune-Cookman contest fresh off posting a career high18 stops against Towson, as a result heearned the MEAC's Co-Defensive Player of the Week for the second week in a rowand he currently leads the MEAC in total tackles (43) and ranks 3rd in the FCS.
UP NEXT
MSU will host North Carolina A&T for Homecoming in Hughes Stadium on Saturday, October 10, 2009. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm ET. The game will mark the 80th meeting between the teams since 1930. MSU leads the series 38-33-3 and won the last matchup in Greensboro, N.C. by a score of 41-3.
