Kelvin Dickens hauled in 6 catches for a game-high 135 yards. -Carroll Smith, All-Pro Photo
Boxscore
BALTIMORE, Maryland (November 5, 2005) – The Morgan State Bears “Senior Day” was overshadowed by a failed comeback against Norfolk State as the Spartans marched away with a 24-21 victory Saturday afternoon at Hughes Stadium in front of 3,672 fans.
It was NSU’s second consecutive win, a mark which they had not accomplished since 2002, while the Bears dropped its third game in a row as they tumbled to 1-6 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and 2-8 overall.
The Spartans (3-6, 2-5) scored all the points they needed in the first half. NSU quarterback Brandon Brooks connected with wideout Jonathan Allen for a 6-yard touchdown pass to open up the scoring. Antonio Gomez’ extra point gave the Spartans a 7-0 lead with 9:01 remaining in the first quarter.
MSU took the ensuing possession and marched 81 yards capped by a 29-yard TD pass to senior speedster Kelvin Dickens. The point after attempt by James Meade tied the ballgame at 7-7 to end the first quarter scoring.
Dickens finished with his best game of the season as he hauled in six catches for a game-high 135 yards, including a 47-yard reception.
Neither team was able to move the ball throughout most of the second quarter as a result of solid defensive play by both teams. However, toward the end of the half MSU underwent a lightning quick scoring barrage by the Spartans.
NSU started a drive at the 6:27 mark from Morgan’s 44 yard line. The Spartans got on the scoreboard six plays later when tailback Daryl Jones crashed into the endzone from 1 yard out to help push NSU’s lead to 14-7 with 3:33 left.
The Spartans shocked the Bears on the ensuing kickoff as they were able to recover an onsides kick at the Norfolk 45 yard line. Three plays and just over a minute later, Brooks connected on a 44-yard pass to James Callaham to help the Spartans open up a 21-7 lead.
Morgan went three-and-out on its next drive as a result of incomplete passes and a false start penalty. On 4th and 18 from the Morgan 20 yard line, Thomas Beese received a poor snap from center and was able to make contact with the ball despite a furious rush. The punt shanked and ended up totaling zero yards. NSU started its drive from Morgan’s 20 and Antonio Gomez nailed a 33-yard field goal to give the Spartans a 24-7 lead at the half.
Brooks finished the contest by completing 19-of-33 passes for 230 yards with two TD passes. Callaham was a major contributor to Brooks’ numbers as he caught six balls for 119 yards and one touchdown. Terrell Johnson led the Spartans ground game with 14 carries for 115 yards.
The Bears defense pitched a second half shutout as they were led by senior safety Choo Choo Davis and Darius Leak, who had 12 tackles each.
“When they decide to play [defense], we can play with anybody in the conference,” said Bears Head Coach Donald Hill-Eley about his defense’s play in the second half.
Byron Selby helped the Bears mount a 2nd half comeback against the Spartans. The sophomore hit pay dirt from 8 yards out on a quarterback scramble at the 11:35 mark in the third quarter. Selby’s two point conversion on an option run cut the lead to 24-15.
In the fourth quarter, Selby capped a 6 play 88 yard drive when he sprinted right on a designed draw play for a 30-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 24-21.
Selby led the Bears ground attack with 18 carries for 88 yards, while he completed 13-of-37 passes for 251 yards.
Morgan will be in action next week in their last game of the season when they travel south to take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs. The contest will be televised by ESPNU.
