Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Sept. 11, 2021) -- Michael Pratt passed for two touchdowns and ran for a TD, all in the first half of the Green Wave's 69-20 victory over Morgan State Saturday at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
Even though they weren't in their friendly confines of Yulman Stadium for a second straight week, Tulane (1-1) wasted little time lighting up the scoreboard.
Pratt orchestrated an 8-play, 52 yard drive that was punctuated by a 30-yard touchdown pass to Jaetavia Toles. Merek Glover's extra point gave the Green Wave a 7-0 lead (10:49).
It didn't get any better for the Bears (0-2) after that.
Jairus Grissom, received his first action as the Bears starting quarterback today, but struggled to get the offense into a rhythm. By the time Neil Boudreau was inserted under center, the Bears were already trailing 17-0.
Tulane's freshman quarterback Justin Ibieta threw for 166 yards on 13-of-21 passes and accounted for three touchdowns (2 passing, 1 running). Iverson Celestine led the Green Wave on the ground with 77 yards on 13 carries.
Jaetavia Toles led Tulane's receiving corps with five catches for 64 yards, including a score. The Green Wave had four different receivers with touchdown catches.
Boudreau (17-of-26 passing for 184 yards) tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass to wideout Wesley Wolfolk to give the Bears its first score of the season. The Bears trailed 45-7.
Wolfolk finished the day with a game-high six catches for 110 yards, including two touchdowns.
Tulane's Jha'Qu Jackson caught a 7-yard pass from Ibieta to extend the Green Wave's lead to 52-7 at the intermission.
The Green Wave opened the scoring in the second half when Ibieta had a pass tipped and caught in the end zone by Phat Watts for a 27-yard score. Tulane led 59-7.
The Bears seemed to settle in offensively during the second half. Following an interception by Jae'Veyon Morton in the endzone.
Boudreau connected on a 52-yard pass strike to Wolfolk down sideline, followed two plays later by a 25-yard run to give the Bears 1st and goal from the Tulane 5. On 4th and goal from the 3, Boudreau tossed his 2nd TD pass to Wolfolk to complete a 9, play 80-yard drive and closed the quarter trailing 59-14.
Tulane's next score came off a bizarre play on special teams. Graham Dable had a field goal attempt blocked by Morgan defensive lineman Marcus Coleman. After a rantic scramble for the ball, it was eventually jumped on in the endzone by Tulane's Josh Coltrin for a touchdown to push the score to 66-14.
The Green Wave concluded its scoring when Dable converted a 19-yard field goal to make the score 69-14 with 1:39 remaining.
Morgan fought to the very end. Boudreau threw his third TD of the game when tossed a 2-yard fade to wideout Marcus Thomas, capping a 7-play, 75-yard drive as the final horn sounded.
Defensively, Kalen Jennings led the Bears with nine tackles, while Jayden Wooden and Jae'Veyon Morton finished with eight tackles apiece. Morton and Lawrence Richardson each recorded interceptions for the day.
The 69 points are the most points allowed since 2012 when the Bears were defeated 66-6 by the Akron Zips at Infocision Stadium.
Tulane finished the game with a 584-228 advantage in total offense. The The Green Wave also held a 294-44 advantage in rushing yards.
The Bears will try to find their way to the win column next week when they take to the road to face Sacred Heart.
Bear Notes:
• Tulane's matchup with Morgan State was moved to Birmingham, as a result of the effects of Hurricane Ida.
• Morgan State was playing Tulane for the first time in program history.
• Neil Boudreau became the first Bear quarterback to throw three TDs in a game since DJ Golatt threw three TDs at Norfolk State on Nov. 17, 2018 at Dick Price Stadium.
• The last time the Bears collected two interceptions in a game was against Howard on Oct. 20, 2018 at Hughes Stadium.
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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.
