MSU Notes (PDF)Howard Notes (PDF)GAME TIMEMorgan State (1-2) will attempt to win its conference-opener when they hit the gridiron against Beltway rival Howard (1-2) at the 42nd New York Urban League Classic on Saturday (Sept. 20). The Bears will enter the game fresh off a 28-3 win against Bowie State. Howard will enter the meeting looking to build on its 35-17 victory against Morehouse. Game time at MetLife Stadium is scheduled for 3:34 p.m. The game will be telecast LIVE on ESPN3 and tape delayed on ESPNU (10 p.m.). The game will also air live on the Heritage Sports Radio Network on Sirius/XM Channel 136.
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THE BEARS-BISON SERIES•
The first game was played in 1889. Morgan State leads the series, 38-33-3. •Â
Although Morgan won games in 1991 (37-28) and 1994 (17-14), the victories were vacated due to some violations. In 1987, Howard won (62-9), but that was also vacated due to violations.• The Bison have won the last two meetings (2012 & '13), while the Bears' last win against Howard was a 14-9 victory at the NY Urban League Classic on Sept. 24, 2011.
• MSU has won 9 of the last 12 meetings, including a pair of wins against the Bison.
• The Bears hold a 2-0 record against MSU at the NY Urban League Classic (2010 & '11).
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QUICK HITS• MSU will enter the 2014 season with a number of veterans... the Bears' roster has 64 returning players and 17 returning starters on its roster ... there are 34 who started at least one game or were considered a starter last year ... the roster also includes a number of veterans - 16 seniors and 13 juniors.
• The Bears return its top receiver from last season in
Thomas Martin ... Martin, a Naples (Fla.) product, started in every game and finished with 352 yards on 28 receptions.
• The Bears return an experienced trio of quarterbacks (
Robert Council,
Seth Higgins and
Moses Skillon) ... Council has completed 27-of-56 passes for 360 yards with 4 TDs, he also has 211 rushing yards and 2 TDs
• Seven (7) starters return from the 2013 defense:
Andrew Mitchell (DL),
Cody Acker (LB),
Christopher Robinson (LB),
Ta'Quon Jackson (LB),
Bill Hill (LB),
Peterson Janvier (FS) and Nate Ayers (SS).
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Cody Acker, a 2013 Third Team All-MEAC selection, returns as one of the league leaders with 97 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, in addition to an interception for a touchdown.
• Coach Hull added six assistants to his initial coaching staff ... the new coaches are: John Morgan (AHC),
Fred Farrier (OC),
Dwayne Foster (OL), Ken Lucas (RB),
Brawley Evans (DB/RC), and
Jamari McCollough (WR).
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FIRST AND 10• Morgan State and Howard are meeting for the 3rd time at the NY Urban League Classic...the Bears won 20-3 in 2010, followed by a 14-9 victory in 2011.
• Howard has a couple of former Morgan State assistants on their coaching staff: HU Head Coach Gary Harrell was as a wide receivers coach for the Bears; Herbert Parham spent time as the assistant head coach and defensive line coach, while B.T. Sherman coached the wide receivers.
• Senior LB
Cody Acker was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week following his performance vs. Eastern Michigan.
•
Herb Walker Jr. was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week following his performance vs. Holy Cross.
• Senior SS
Paul Eatman Jr. was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week following his performance vs. Bowie State.
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BEARS OPEN 116th SEASON OF FOOTBALL SINCE 1898MSU enters its 116th season of football, and the first under head coach
Lee Hull.
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SCOUTING THE BISON• The Bison finished with an overall mark of 6-6 during the 2013 season.
• They return 48 letterwinners to go along with 14 starters from a team that won its final three games of the 2013 season.
• Howard recorded its first win of the season after dropping Morehouse 35-17 at the AT&T Nation's Football Classic at RFK Stadium. Greg McGhee accounted for all of Howard's scoring, rushing for three TDs and pass for a pair.
• McGhee, a 6-foot-3, 208 pound quarterback, will continue to lead the Bison when they take on MSU. The senior, who was named 2013 MEAC Player of the Year, has completed 42-of-85 passes (92.87 pass effic.) for 385 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Junior wideout Matt Colvin is one of McGhee's favorite targets. The Greensboro (NC) native has 10 receptions for 115 yards and is averaging 11.5 ypc.
• The running back position will be led by r-juniors Aquanius Freeman, who has 115 yards (4.4 avg) on 26 carries and a TD, and Terrance Tusan has 24 carries for 161 yards (6.1 avg) and a TD.
• The defense has been led by junior MLB Devin Rollins, who has 21 tackles and a sack, while senior SLB Khari Brown has added 17.5 tackles and a sack.
• Head coach Gary 'Flea' Harrell returns for his 3rd year at Howard. The Bison stand 13-12 overall under Harrell's leadership. He led Howard to a 7-4 record and a 6-2 mark in the MEAC in 2012. It was the first winning season for the Bison in a decade.
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MSU TITLESMSU was a power as a former member of the CIAA. The Bears posted 173 wins between 1929 and 1959 when Edward P. Hurt was the head coach and the Bears won 14 CIAA championships. Earl Banks added to the championship collection by winning four titles during the 1960s and a MEAC title in 1971. Clarence Thomas led the Bears its last MEAC title in 1979.
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BEAR RUSHThe Bears rushing offense has been off with a bang thus far this season, averaging 276.0 yards per game thus far - the sixth-highest total in the FCS. MSU put up 356 yards on the ground against Holy Cross for its first 300+ yard rushing game since logging 323 at N.C. A&T in 2007. The Bears already have five rushing plays over 30 yards this season. MSU finished the 2012 season averaging 149.7 yards per game on the ground, and increased its output to 182.8 yards per game during the 2013 season.Â
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NOTABLE NATIONAL NOTESHere are a few 2014 FCS national statistics of note on offense, defense and special teams that pertained to the Bears:
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Herb Walker Jr. currently ranks in the FCS No. 3 in rushing yards (460 yds), No. 5 in rushing yards per game (153.3 ypg); has the No. 2 highest rushing total (271 yds vs. Holy Cross) in the FCS;
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Robert Council ranks T-No. 28 in passing TDs (4);
• Junior linebacker
Cody Acker ranks T-No. 8 nationally in total tackles (35 TT);
• The Bears rushing offense ranks 6th nationally total offense (276.0);
• Morgan State ranks T-No. 43 in first downs offense (57).
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