All-MEAC safety Choo Choo Davis finished with 11 tackles (7 solo) against Florida A&M. -Carroll Smith, All-Pro Photo
Boxscore
BALTIMORE, Md. -- Florida A&M made the most of its first trip to Baltimore when they dropped Morgan State 27-16 in front of 3,429 fans on a chilly night at Hughes Stadium.
FAMU (4-4, 3-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) quarterback Albert Chester II and running back Rashard Pompey provided the one-two punch for a Rattler offense that racked-up 334 yards of total offense.
Chester compiled 202 net yards of offense, completed 14-of-16 passes and rushed for two touchdowns, while Pompey rushed for 101 yards and a score as MSU fell for the fifth time in six games.
MSU (2-7, 1-5 MEAC) went into halftime tied 6-6 as both teams failed to cross the endzone.
After a three-and-out possession to start the half, Morgan punter Thomas Beese had his punt blocked by Rattler Donnell Shepherd. Three plays later Chester plunged in from the 1 to make it 13-6 with 13:25 remaining in the third quarter.
Midway through the third quarter the Bears were aided down the field as a result of Rattler penalties. A halfback pass by Jason Jackson to Kelvin Dickens resulted in a pass interference call against FAMU, and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave the Bears field position at the FAMU 34. The Rattlers defense stiffened and on 4th and 7 from the 31, a deep pass to Rodrick Wolfe from Byron Selby fell to the turf incomplete.
Seven plays and 69 yards later, Pompey scored on an electric 29-yard run to give the Rattlers a 20-6 lead at the end of the third.
MSU refused to go away. A 35-yard pass by Selby to sophomore receiver Jai Wilson moved the ball to the FAMU 4. Jackson scored on the next play to cut the Rattlers’ lead to 20-13 with 13:58 left in the contest.
Selby finished the evening by completing 17-of-30 passes for 188 yards, while Jackson was held to 42 yards on 17 carries.
MSU defensive back Javar Gholson recovered a fumble by Chester on the Rattlers’ ensuing possession, taking over at the FAMU 19. But the Bears could only come away with a James Meade 33-yard field goal with 11:01 left, making it 20-16.
On its next possession the Chester moved the ball up the field with a combination of quarterback draws and runs up the middle. Chester capped a 12-play, 62 yard drive with a 9 yard touchdown run to give the Rattlers a 27-16 victory.
MSU will be back in action next Saturday, November 5 when they host Norfolk State. The Spartans will be entering the contest fresh off a 26-7 win against Howard that snapped Norfolk's 10-game losing streak. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Hughes Stadium.
EXTRA POINTS:
Defensively, linebacker Darius Leak led the Bears with 12 tackles (7 solo) and a tackle for loss; defensive end Temi Omotade collected 8 tackles (6 slo); and defensive back Javar Gholson recorded a fumble recovery and blocked a field goal.
Kicker James Meade connected on 3-of-3 field goals. The redshirt-freshman made boots from 23, 28, and 33 yards.
Jai Wilson led the Bears receiving corps with five catches for 69 yards, including a 35-yarder.
Tight ends Alfonso Custis and Camaro Henson recorded their first receptions of the season. Custis had two catches for 34 yards, while Henson finished with two catches for 13 yards.
QB Byron Selby spread the ball around as he threw to seven different receivers.
