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Stephen Thompson

Football Stephen-Michael Thompson - MSU Athletic Communications

Josh Chase Looking to Increase Production in Senior Season

Football Stephen-Michael Thompson - MSU Athletic Communications

Josh Chase Looking to Increase Production in Senior Season

Chase ran for a career-high 145 yards vs. Delaware State in 2018.
BALTIMORE, Md. (Oct. 9,2019) -- In modern college football, the quarterback is the focal point of the offense. But from a historical stance, the running back has truly been a focal point. Going back to even when the forward pass wasn't legal, the running back has always been there. 

Fast forward to 2019, a Morgan State running back looking to make his bear print within MSU history. His name is Joshua Chase and the senior is ready to tackle his last season in the Orange and Blue. He's following the footsteps of legendary Morgan running backs in Leroy Kelly, Chad Simpson, Ali Culpepper, Robert Hammonds, and John Sykes. 

Although his story isn't finished, his ability to produce and be known was felt during his high school playing days.

Chase was a standout prep running back at Spaulding High School with over 3,000 rushing yards and scored 37 career TDs. He was an All-State second-team selection, selected to the East/West All-Star game, Offense/Defense All-American game, and a Baltimore Touchdown Club Super 22 selection.

Chase feels grateful for what he learned at Spaulding. 

"They showed me the structure of discipline and taught me the game of football," said Chase.

More broadly, Chase was one of the hundreds of premiere athletes that comes out of the Washington, D.C. metro area. 

Chase notices that DMV athletes "have that hunger of wanting to be great". And he understands that his area "has some of the best athletes". Chase's claims prove true as highly ranked recruits are spread across the area. 

With that comes distractions. Between combines, flashy highlight tapes, and star ratings for recruits. Chase realized, "You have to know for yourself in terms of what you want."  He knew what he wanted: a Division I football scholarship.

When getting the buzz and later getting his scholarship, Chase claimed that "it was big".

Through the excited, he didn't want to fall behind and only show his potential in high school. The level was different and it was somewhat difficult adjusting at first. Joshua pushed himself to "lock-in" and be serious about the platform he now had. "You have to be built differently to progress and get playing time on this level," he explained. 

That platform of being a D1 athlete, he claimed that .

Going back to the point of being from the DMV, he noticed that after high school; things changed for many. It was either a wake-up call or a positive progression in their game. 

He had a question for himself when first getting to Morgan. "Do you want to go along for the ride or make a difference?" He decided to make plays on teh field; which we have seen. 

After playing behind Herb Walker, who is ranked No. 5 on Morgan's rushing yardage list, Chase got more action in 2018. In nine games, he gained over 500 yards, especially in the 2nd half of the season. He ran for a career-high 145 yards against Delaware State and had 115 yards against Howard. Although having stretches of dominance, he admitted that it wasn't the season he wanted. 

This season he's been on it. Against North Carolina Central, he ran for 77 yards and against Bethune-Cookman he racked up a season-high 124 yards on 25 carries -- the most carries in a game he's had for the Orange and Blue.

Outside of his increased production, he's been helped heavily by Coach Tyrone Wheatley. 

"You can't do anything but just take his coaching," said Chase.

With Coach Wheatley having a legendary college career and multiple years in the NFL, Chase has taken in as much as possible from him to be a better running back. 

More broadly, Joshua Chase is looking to continue his production. 

ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu. 


 
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Players Mentioned

Joshua Chase

#32 Joshua Chase

RB
5' 11"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Joshua Chase

#32 Joshua Chase

5' 11"
Junior
RB