NORFOLK, Va. (Oct. 28, 2023) — Tahj Smith checked into the game with just under 4 minutes to play in the fourth quarter. It was just the backup quarterback's second game of his collegiate career. But it was just enough time to complete the Bears' double-digit comeback and spoil the Spartan's homecoming.
Smith completed his first three passes, including one of 22 yards to senior wideout Treveyon Pratt, to move the ball to the Spartan's 18. Two plays later, the Fredericksburg (Va.) product took off for a 14-yard run, barreling into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown to lead Morgan State to a 32-28 win over Norfolk State.
The Bears overcame an 18-point deficit and outscored the Spartans 22-7 in the fourth quarter to snap a 5-game losing skid and post their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win of the season.
Morgan (2-5, 1-1) also posted its first win against Norfolk State since Nov. 18, 2018.
Prior to Saturday's come-from-behind win, the Bears were 0-4 when trailing at halftime and 1-3 when trailing after the third quarter.
This was the largest comeback of Damon Wilson's career at Morgan and his first win against the Spartans.
The Bears trailed the Spartans 14-10 at halftime. The key to Morgan's getting on track was on special teams and on defense.
Morgan quarterback Carson Baker completed just 9 of his 19 passes (47.4%) for 116 yards, but helped produce a few critical first downs.
Redshirt-junior J.J. Davis led the running game for the Bears today. The Norfolk State transfer had his best game of the season as he finished with a season-high 113 yards on 13 carries.
"I just did everything I've been preparing to do," said Davis. "Team-wise, we were told to 'just play football' and I think we did that today... and it shows."
Morgan State opened the scoring when junior Beckett Leary connected on a 31-yard field goal to put the Bears ahead 3-0 with 5:43 remaining in the first quarter.
Norfolk State (2-6, 0-2) responded on their second drive of the game. Quarterback Otto Kuhns connected with Tremayne Talbert for a 21-yard pass play. After rolling left and throwing right, Kuhns found R.J. Baker wide open for a 38-yard touchdown. The Spartans led 7-3.
Myles Miree scored on a 9-yard run off the left end to help retake the lead at 10-7. It was his first touchdown of the season.
Norfolk jumped back ahead 14-10 when Kevon King bounced off tackle for an 8-yard touchdown to end the first half scoring.
Norfolk's first possession of the second half was ignited by a 35-yard run up the middle by Mohamed Nyanmukenga. The Spartans ended up running a trick play when Cameron Sapp faked a power-run and threw a 13-yard TD pass to King. Norfolk extended its lead to 21-10 with 12:04 left in the third quarter.
The Bears threatened to score toward the end of the third quarter, but a 28-yard field goal by Leary was blocked.
Kuhns engineered an 8-play, 60 yard drive that was capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by King to push the lead to 28-10 with 11:13 left to go.
Keith Jenkins took the ensuing kickoff and raced 90-yards down the sideline for a touchdown. The Bears' converted the 2-point attempt when Baker found Jospeh Owumi open in the back of the end zone. The Bears trailed 28-18.
Morgan's defense came through with another big play in the final quarter when Kuhns was pressured by Hosea Robinson and was picked off by junior linebacker Erick Hunter who returned it 60-yards for a score. The Bears trailed 28-25.
Morgan's defense stonewalled the Spartans on their next drive when they were forced to turnover possession after a failed 4th and 1.
The Bears took over with 3:58 remaining and trailing by three when Tahj Smith entered for the game-winning drive.
FOLLOW MORGAN STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official web site of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more.
• Follow us on social media:
Facebook: /MorganStateBears
Twitter: @MorganStBears
Instagram: /MorganStateBears
ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 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.
