MSU vs. WSSU Gamenotes
LIVE STATS
2009 MORGAN STATE FOOTBALL
Game Two
Saturday, September 19 - 2 p.m. (ET)
Morgan State (0-1, 0-0 MEAC) vs. Winston-Salem State (0-2 MEAC)
East Rutherford, N.J. – Giants Stadium (80,242)
Live Coverage
Radio: WEAA Radio (88.9 FM) in Baltimore, Md. (Mark Gray (Play-by-Play) and Kelvin Bridgers (Color Analyst). Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN) on Sirius XM Satellite Radio.
BEAR FACTS
2009 Record: 0-1
Head Coach: Donald Hill-Eley
Alma Mater/Year: Virginia Union/1991
Record at Bear/Year: 36-44/8th
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: 2
Series Record: 1-1
First Meeting: WSSU won 19-17 at Hughes Stadium (Sept. 15, 2007)
Last Meeting: MSU won, 21-7 at Bowman Gray Stadium (Sept. 20, 2008)
Current Streak: MSU 1
Hill vs. WSSU: 1-1
Setting the Scene
The Morgan State football team continues its 112th season of football on Saturday, Sept. 19 against Winston-Salem State at Giants Stadium in the 38th annual Whitney Young Classic in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The contest will be broadcast live on WEAA, 88.9FM and on Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN) located on Sirius XM Satellite Radio.
The Bears kicked off their 2009 campaign last Saturday with a disappointing 41-0 loss against Akron at brand new InfoCision Stadium in the first ever meeting between the two teams. The loss against Akron dropped head coach Donald Hill-Eley's all-time record to 36-44, one game into his eighth season at the helm. Hill's 36 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 2:00 p.m. (EST).
The game will be streamed LIVE on the internet at MorganStateBears.com.
Following a theme of “Let's Get Down To Business,” the Bears are counting on another strong season.
MSU Looking To Start 1-1 For 5th Time Under Hill
Morgan State is looking to start the season 1-1 for the second consecutive season and the 5th time during the Hill-Eley era. The Bears started 1-1 in '03, '04, '07 and '08.
MSU-WSSU Series
This weekend's game between Morgan State and Winston-Salem State will mark just the third time the two teams will meet on the gridiron. Winston-Salem State won the first contest at Hughes Stadium by a score of 19-17 (2007), while the Bears won last year's game 21-7 (2008) at Bowman-Gray Stadium.
Worth Noting
This weekend's contest will mark Morgan State's 14th time participating in the NYUL Whitney Young Classic. The Bears are in search of its first victory in the Classic since 1968 1-12 since 1968. MSU's fi rst appearance in the Classic was in 1968 against Grambling State. The game drew 60,811 fans to Yankee Stadium and the Bears ended up edging the Tigers 9-7 in a defensive battle that was decided when MSU stopped Grambling in its own end zone for a 2-point saftey.
September Challenges
The Bears have played 28 football games in the month of September under head coach Donald Hill-Eley, posting an 8-20 (.285 pct.) record. During Hill's first season as head coach he was defeated 49-28 at Towson on Sept. 5, 2002. MSU opened the 2004 season with a 41-35 win at Hughes Stadium against Bowie State on Sept. 4. Prior to last week's loss against Akron, the Bears had lost their last three September openers to Towson (L 29-26, Sept. 1, 2005; L 30-2, Sept. 2, 2007; L, 21-16, Sept. 6, 2008).
MSU Offense Quick Notes for 2009
Winfred Diggs got his first career start Sept. 12th at Akron, he fi nished with a career high six receptions for 47 yards ... DE Justin Lawrence was used as a fullback in a short yardage package ... Freshman QB Donovan Dickerson completed a pass for a loss of 1 yard against Akron ... Carlton Jackson had a pass intercepted for a touchdown at Akron ... Lacawanna CC transfer Allen Singletary started at RB against Akron and finished with 5 carries for 18 yards ... Domanick West had his first carry of the season at Akron (1-3 yds) ... Cameron George had 4 carries for a loss of 1 at Akron ... Newcomer Trey Charles had one catch for 26 yards at Akron ... TE Lamont Bryant had one reception for 5 yards in the 2nd half at Akron ... Florida transfer Ronnie Wilson started at the guard position vs. Akron ... Akron held MSU to 41 rushing yards, it was the fewest rushing yards since Howard held them to 34 yards in 2006 ...
MSU Defensive Quick Notes for 2009
... Senior DL James Cole got his first start at Akron and collected 6 tackles ... Chris Eugene saw his first bit of action at Akron, he posted 3 tackles and had a forced fumble wiped out due to penalty ... Redshirt-freshman CB Kendall Jamison had three pass breakups in his first career start at Akron ... MSU ranked 12th in the nation in 30 turnovers gained and 13th in sacks (32) in 2008 … forced a fumble in 11 of its 13 games and recovered a fumble in 10 of those ... the defense led the nation in total defense by limiting opponents to 213.4 ypg in 2008 ... Akron racked up 436 total yards of offense against the Bears on Sept. 12th, the last time an MSU team allowed 400 or more yards total offense was at Texas Southern in 2004 (487) ...
Special Teams Quick Notes for 2009
MSU blocked five punts and a field goal in 2008 ... Kemar Scarlett (K) made his first start at Akron and missed a 40 yard field goal in the 1st quarter (9/12/09) ...Redshirt punter Nicholas Adams averaged 37.1 yards on eight punts at Akron, his longest punt went for 44 yards and he had one punt inside the 20 ... Allen Singletary had three kickoff returns for 57 yards, including a 23 yard return at Akron ...
Poll Positions
Last year, the Bears entered the season No. 5 in the MEAC preseason media poll. This year the Bears will enter the season ranked No. 6. The last time the Bears entered the season ranked No. 6 was in 2007when they finished the season with a 5-6 record.
Early Action Guys
Head coach Donald Hill-Eley has been very pleased by the performance of many of the newcomers to the squad this year. The Bears played 11 newcomers in 2009 including true freshmen Donovan Dickerson (QB), Ronnie Wilson (OG – Florida transfer), Justin Young (DE – Virginia Tech transfer), Allen Singletary (RB – Lacawanna CC transfer), Jerry Jones (DB – New Mexico State transfer), Trey Charles, Nicolas Adams (P), Kemar Scarlett (PK), Zary Stewart (DE), Brian Saunders, and Chris Eugene (DE).
Field Trip
Morgan State's football team received a lesson in history when they made a pit-stop in Canton, the home of the NFL Hall of Fame. The Bears coaching staff took the squad to see the Hall's display of the moments, memories and mementos of the NFL, including the enshrined busts of former MSU greats and NFL Hall of Famers Len Ford, Leroy Kelly, Willie Lanier and Roosevelt Brown.
Bear Tube
On Thursday, October 15, Morgan State's football game at home against Beltway rival Howard will be televised live by ESPNU. In Donald Hill-Eley's seven years at the helm of the Bears, this will mark the third football game ESPNU has televised.
The remaining schedule is below.
Thurs., Sept. 17: Howard @ Florida A&M, 7:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Sat., Sept. 19: Hampton @ N.C. A&T, 6 p.m. (10 p.m. tape-delay) (ESPNU)
Sat., Sept. 26: B-Cookman @ Norfolk State, 4 p.m. (10 p.m. tape-delay) (ESPNU)
Thurs., Oct. 15: Howard @ Morgan State, 7:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Sat., Oct. 17: Florida A&M @ S.C. State, 2 p.m. (10 p.m. tape-delay) (ESPNU)
Sat., Nov. 21: Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M, 2 p.m. (ESPN Classic)
Up Next
Morgan State will host will host Towson at Hughes Stadium in the Bears home-opener. Kickoff is set for 4:00 pm ET on Saturday, September 26.
