Spartans hold off Morgan State, 27-21 - Morgan State University Athletics

Box Score

Bear Shots

BALTMORE, Md. -- Both teams came into this game winless. Norfolk State had lost their first three games, while Morgan State lost their first four. However, it came down to turnovers and costly penalties which cost the Bears and helped Norfolk State hold on to a 27-21 victory at Hughes Stadium in Morgan State's opening Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and home game.

From the first possession, it wasn't pretty for the Bears (0-5, 0-1 MEAC). Norfolk State recovered a fumble by MSU running back Herb Walker Jr. on the Spartan's 19 yardline. But the Morgan State defense bailed them out, nearly recording a safety on a couple of plays.

The Bear's second possession wasn't fun either as a 23-yard field goal attempt from Chris Moller was blocked by Norfolk State's Keenan Lambert and was recovered by Marcell Coke with 4:09 remaining in the first quarter.

But again the Bears' defense stepped up. MSU linebacker Cody Acker stripped NSU's Shakeem Copeland of the ball and strong safety Darien Irby pounced on it on the Spartan 27.

The Bears offense finally struck paydirt when quarterback Seth Higgins dove over the top of the pile for a one-yard touchdown. The extra point by Moller gave the Bears a 7-0 advantage with 1:04 left in the first quarter completing a six play, 27-yard drive.

Tyler Clark's four yard touchdown pass to Lynden Trail plus Ryan Lee's extra point tied the game at 7 with 3:37 left in the second quarter. It was helped by a 15 yard personal foul penalty on MSU's Bryan Egborebhe. That started a 20-point run by the Spartans (1-3, 1-0 MEAC).

The Spartans pulled ahead with Lee's 21-yard field goal with 18.5 seconds left in the first half, giving the Spartans a 10-7 advantage which was the halftime score.

Clark put the Spartans back on the board on a shuffle pass to Keith Johnson with 2:24 left in the third quarter to help extend the Norfolk State advantage to 17-7.

Higgins had a pass attempt intercepted by Lynden Trail in Morgan territory. But the Bears defense limited NSU to a 34-yard field goal by Cameron Marouf to extend the Spartans advantage to 20-7 with 14:55 left in the fourth quarter.

The Bears did not take care of the football this afternoon, committing four turnovers. "You can't turn the ball over and beat good or bad teams," said Morgan State head coach Donald Hill-Eley. "You got to possess the football and continue to just find plays to get points to make some morale and excitement on that side of the ball."

The Morgan offense got back into it and woke up in the fourth quarter when Higgins ran the ball into the end zone from eight yards out for a score. After the extra point from Moller, Morgan State crept within 20-14 with 11:49 left in the game.

Then the key drive from Norfolk State happened. The drive took 15 plays and wouldn't have lasted that long if not for two penalties on missed third down conversions, which preserved a drive that ate up 8:41 of the fourth quarter. Brendan Riddick scored from three yards out to cap the drive. The extra point from Lee increased the Spartan lead to 27-14 with 3:03 left in the game.

Coach Hill-Eley wasn't happy about the NSU drive at all. "You got to be disciplined. On that last drive they had, they had four third downs converted and (Norfolk State) didn't execute. Their offense either overthrew the ball ,or they ran the ball and got stopped and we lost discipline. I mean we get three unsportsmanlike conducts in some form or fashion or some type of penalty which keeps them on the field and keeps their drive alive and it's just very disappointing."

Higgins' 43-yard pass to Thomas Martin was key on a big drive to answer the Spartans. It led to a Higgins to Chris Flowers connection for a 12-yard touchdown on a fourth and five play with 1:58 left in regulation that brought Morgan to within 27-21.

Higgins accounted for all three Morgan State touchdowns on the afternoon, running for two touchdowns and throwing for one.

When asked how the Bears need to address turnover problems, his solution was simple. "Practice," said Higgins. "Ball security is number one. They've been teaching that since rec. If you don't hold on to the ball, you're probably not going to win the game."

Morgan got a turnover on downs and takes over with 12.6 seconds left at their own 32 yard line. However, Higgins' hail-mary attempt was intercepted by Lynden Trail to end the game.

What needs to be done to end the Bears now nine-game losing streak?

MSU defensive end Christopher Robinson answered, "We know that we're going to have to do better because we didn't get the win. So we didn't play well enough. We just got to keep going out there and do what we're coached to do. Play more disciplined and buy into the coaches' system."

"We're doing things to hurt ourselves," added linebacker Cody Acker added. "It's not what the other teams are doing to us. We're out there getting personal fouls and things of that nature, letting it dictate how we're playing on the field and it shouldn't happen like that."

Next up for Morgan State is their homecoming game against the Florida A&M Rattlers next Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hughes Stadium.

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