Rodrick Wolfe was on the receiving end of a 53-yard TD pass from Byron Selby for the games lone score. All-Pro Photo
Boxscore
BALTIMORE, Md. (Oct. 15, 2005)-Morgan State quarterback Byron Selby hooked up with wideout Rodrick Wolfe on a 53-yard touchdown reception with 8:43 remaining in the contest for the game’s only score, as the host Bears defeated Howard 7-0 on Homecoming day at Hughes Stadium.
The victory for Morgan State (2-5, 1-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) ended a three-game losing skid and was the Bears’ first shutout win since a 26-0 homecoming defeat of Savannah State in 2001, while Howard dropped to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in league play.
Neither team could generate much offense on their opening drive or for the better part of the game as both defenses played well. Howard appeared to be in possession to strike first and had their best scoring opportunity in the first quarter when Howard’s Lawrence Hellams recovered a muffed punt by Morgan at the Morgan 17-yardline. The Bears’ defense however buckled down and Howard came away empty handed.
Morgan’s best shot came just seconds before intermission, but the Howard defense, which entered the game ranked first in rushing defense in the MEAC stood tall.
With 10 seconds remaining in the first half the Bears decided to go for it on third and goal at the Howard three yardline. Selby rolled to his right and was met by the Howard defense at the two yardline as time expired keeping the game scoreless.
With every possession it appeared that unless someone made a big play the game was going into overtime. That’s when the Bears finally broke the scoring drought by putting together a seven-play, 80-yard drive resulting in Selby’s game winning pass to Wolfe. Wolfe finished the day with two catches for a game-high 81 yards.
Bison quarterback Ronald Venters completed just three passes on 22 attempts for 71 yards and an interception. Selby finished 11-for-24 for 168 yards and a touchdown. Howard’s running tandem of Keon Coleman and Antoine Rutherford were held to a combined 84 yards on 16 carries with Coleman finishing with a game-high 82 yards on 10 carries.
Selby led the Morgan rushing attack with 81 yards on 15 carries, while Jason Jackson finished with 48 yards on 16 carries and Craig Nelson added 44 yards on 17 rushing attempts.
Morgan State travels to Dover, Del., next Saturday in hopes of spoiling the Hornets’ Homecoming plans, while Howard plays host to North Carolina A&T for its Homecoming festivities in Washington, D.C.
