Morgan State Notes | S.C. State Notes | MEAC Notes | 
Purchase Tickets
MEAC Video Conference | GAMEDAYGuide
Facebook.com/MorganStateBears | 
@MorganStBears
GAME TIME
Morgan State (3-5, 2-1 MEAC) will look to post its third consecutive win when they travel to Orangeburg (S.C.) to take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs (4-5, 3-1) on Saturday, Nov. 11. The Bears defeated Delaware State 24-17 last Saturday in Baltimore, while the Bulldogs come into the game fresh off of a 27-24 homecoming win against Howard.Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. at Oliver Dawson Stadium and will be carried live by ESPN+ and WEAA-88.9 FM
GAME COVERAGE
ESPN+ will air the game live.
RADIO: WEAA, 88.9 FM is the flagship station for the Morgan State Bears ... Lamont Germany will call the play-by-play with Renard Stubbs in the booth. The game will be broadcast live on 88.9 FM and streamed on WEAA.org, HSRN.com and on SiriusXM 386 and 988 on the SiriusXMmobile app.
LIVE STATS: www.scsubulldogs.com
SOCIAL NETWORKS
Fans can keep up-to-date with all MSU Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/MorganStBears and @MorganStateFootball. You can also become a fan of the Bears on Facebook at Facebook.com/MorganStateBears.
TICKETS
Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all five home games, including homecoming start at only $120. Premium seats and the football/basketball Bear Pass are both now available for purchase by calling 443.885.1522 or visiting MSU Student Center Athletics Ticket Office during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or click 2023 MSU Ticket Information.
THE SERIES
• Saturday will mark the 43rd meeting between the two schools.
• SCSU leads the series against Morgan with an overall record of 34-7-1 since 1971.
• SCSU has won 13 of the last 15 meetings (2003-2022) against the Bears.
• In their last meeting on Oct. 26, Alfonzo Graham ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, the defense added two TDs and Morgan scored the final 24 points on their way to a historic 41-14 win over SCSU at Hughes Stadium.
THE COACHES
• Damon Wilson enters his second season as Morgan's head coach. He previously spent 13 seasons as the head coach at Bowie State University where he achieved three straight Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference championship 2010-12.
• Oliver 'Buddy' Pough is in his 21st season as head football coach at South Carolina State. His teams have also captured three MEAC titles (2008, 2009 & 2021) outright, shared four others (2004, 2010, 2013 and 2014), and made four trips to the prestigious FCS playoffs (2008, 2009, 2010 , 2013).
A WIN WOULD ...
... give Damon Wilson his eighth win as MSU's head coach.
... mark the Bears' second consecutive win against S.C. State since Oct. 29, 2022 (41-14).
... improve the Bears' record to 8-31-1 against S.C. State.
... mark MSU's second consecutive conference road win since defeating Norfolk State 32-28 on Oct. 28, 2023.
... mark a 3-game winning streak for the Bears.
QUICK HITS
• The 2023 Morgan State Bears will be under the leadership of second year head coach Damon Wilson. Wilson, the 23rd coach in school history, previously served 13 seasons as the head football coach at Bowie State. There, he achieved three straight Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference championships, in 2021, 2019 and 2018; five NCAA playoff berths; and three CIAA Coach of the Year honors.
• True freshman quarterback Tahj Smith made his first career start in Week 9 vs. Delaware State and threw two touchdown passes...he completed 6-of-17 passes for 131 yards, including 66 yards on the ground.
• Norfolk State transfer J.J. Davis emerged as Morgan's clear-cut starting running back, playing nearly two times as many snaps as any other Bear at the position in the season's first eight games (89 carries, 402 yd, 1 TD).
• Treveyon Pratt (23 rec., 311 yds, 2 TDs) and Demier Shipley (13 rec., 141 yds) have led the Bears' wideouts thru the first eight games.
• Morgan has a number of offensive lineman as they enter the 2023 season ... The Bears have 19 OL listed on the roster and will be led by veteran T Dexter Carr Jr. (6-3, 295).
• DL Elijah Williams, a Preseason All-American, emerged as a force on the defensive line for the Bears last season. The New Jersey product registered 60 total tackles (33 solo, 27 assisted) last season, including a league-high 19.0 tackles for loss (ranks No. 5 in FCS) and nine sacks (T-No. 13 in FCS). He currently has 43 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6 sacks and was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 25).
• DB Jae'Veyon Morton is on the official watch list for the 2023 Black College Football Player of the Year Watchlist, the Black College Football Hall of Fame ... The All-MEAC selection ranks No. 4 in the MEAC in passes defended (7) and has collected an INT in Week 2 at Akron and Week 3 vs. Towson.
• RS Keith Jenkins Jr. was one of the top return specialists in the nation as a freshman last year ... The speedster finished the season with two kickoff returns for touchdowns (T-No. 2 in the FCS) ... he is currently averaging 23.7 yards per kick return (No. 3 in MEAC), including a 90-yasrd TD return at Norfolk State (Oct. 28).
• Senior safety Jordan Toles has been a playmaker for the Bears so far this season. The Baltimore product earned MEAC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance vs. Akron and has also earned MEAC Specialist of the Week after his play against Towson. He currently leads the MEAC with three interceptions and ranks No. 7 in tackles (48).
A GLANCE AT THE BULLDOGS
• South Carolina State finished the 2022 season with a 3-8 overall record and had a 1-4 conference mark ... The Bulldogs went 2-3 at home.
• The Bulldogs were picked to finish No. 3 in the MEAC Preseason Coaches Poll for the second straight year ... Eight Bulldogs were named to MEAC All-Preseason Team.
• The Bulldogs held the Bison to their lowest total offensive yardage of the season at 245 yards. SCSU freshman Jawarn Howell rushed for 283 yards and three TDs as S.C. State amassed 438 yards on the ground. Saturday's win was extra special as it was Buddy Pough's last homecoming as head coach at SCSU. With the win over the Bison, the Bulldogs now sit in a three-way tie for second in the MEAC football standings.
• WR Justin Smith-Brown is the No. 1 receiver in the conference with 340 yards on 20 receptions with 4 TDs.
• RB Jawarn Howell leads the Bulldogs ground attack and ranks No. 1 in the league with 97 carries for 785 yards (8.1 avg) and has seven (7) rushing TDs. Josh Shaw ranks No. 11 with 249 yards on 49 carries, including a TD.
• LB Aaron Smith is currently ranked in the MEAC No. 4 in total tackles (56), No. 5 in tackles for loss (9.0) and No. 7 in sacks (4). Patrick Godbolt ranks No. 2 in TFL (10.0), while Naejuan Barber ranks No. 2 in sacks (5).
• South Carolina State ranks among the league leaders in a number of statistical categories: No. 1 in rushing offense (226.3); No. 1 in sacks allowed (7); No. 2 in scoring (23.0) No. 2 in interceptions (7), No. 3 in sacks (15); No. 3 in total defense (341.1); No. 3 in total offense (360.2); and No. 3 in total offense (305.6).
• On Oct. 29, 2022, Alfonzo Graham ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, the defense added two TDs and Morgan scored the final 24 points on their way to a historic 41-14 win over South Carolina State on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Hughes Stadium.With the win, the Bears snapped a 3-game losing streak and defeated the Bulldogs for the first time since Nov. 15, 2014 when Morgan won a 24-21 decision at Hughes Stadium. It also marked the most points ever scored by the Bears against SCSU in the series. The contest also held historical significance for Damon Wilson who recorded his first conference win as Morgan's head coach. Morgan (3-5, 1-2) finished the game with 328 total offensive yards, including 190 yards on the ground. The Bears limited SCSU to 250 yards on the day (95 rushing, 155 passing). Duce Taylor, who was making his first start of the season, completed 7 of 25 passes for 138 yards, including two interceptions and a rushing touchdown. Morgan's stout defense was led by linebacker Erick Hunter, defensive backs Jordan Johnson and Jordan Toles who finished with five tackles apiece.
SENIOR DAY
The following is the list of the Morgan senior football players who will be competing in their final season as collegiate student-athletes. These thirteen (14) seniors will be working diligently to complete their final courses so they can obtain their degree and take a step into the world as educated young men.
The 2023 seniors are:
NOTABLE NATIONAL NOTES
Here are a few 2023 FCS national statistics of note on offense, defense and special teams that pertained to the Bears:
• The Bears defense ranks T-No. 5 in blocked kicks (4), T-No. 7 in turnovers gained (19), No. 18 in total defense (314.0), T-No. 19 in sacks (21), T-No. 23 in passes intercepted (9), and No. 32 in scoring defense (22.9).
• Senior S Jordan Toles ranks T-2 nationally in interceptions (3).
• Junior DE Elijah Williams ranks No. 14 in sacks (6.0) and No. 16 in tackles for loss (10.0).
• Junior DE Nana Asante ranks T-No 2 in blocked kicks (3).
• Sophomore Keith Jenkins Jr. ranks T-No. 31 in kick returns (23.7).
A LOOK AHEAD
• Saturday, Nov. 18 will mark the 76th meeting between the two schools.
• Morgan State lead the overall series 43-31-1 since 1931.
• In their last matchup, Quinton Williams accounted for three touchdowns to lead Howard to a 35-6 win against Morgan State on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Hughes Stadium. The win secured Howard (5-6, 4-1) as MEAC co-champions with North Carolina Central, who handed the Bison their only conference loss. Williams completed 17 of 24 passes for 241 yards, including touchdown passes of 13 and 15 yards. He was also on the receiving end of a 4-yard touchdown pass from running back Jarrett Hunter to increase the lead to 28-0 early in the fourth quarter. Morgan quarterbacks combined for just 67 passing yards. Sophomore Duce Taylor completed 4 of 12 passes for 32 yards and was sacked twice. Sophomore R.J. Walker entered the game in the second half and threw for 35 yards on 4 of 13 completions.
• Morgan's last win against the Bison was a 28-24 victory at Hughes Stadium on Sept. 24, 2016.
BEARS OPEN 124th SEASON OF FOOTBALL SINCE 1898
MSU enters its 124th season of football and will open the 2023 campaign under second year head coach Damon Wilson.
PRESEASON PICKED 4TH
Morgan State was picked to finish fourth (4th) in the MEAC standings, according to the poll of the conference head coaches and sports information directors.
North Carolina Central has been picked to defend its MEAC Football Championship as the Eagles topped the league's annual preseason poll for 2023.
PRESEASON ALL-MEAC PLAYERS
Six (6) Bears were named to the MEAC preseason team at the 2023 MEAC Football Press Luncheon in Norfolk, Va. Senior linebacker Lawrence Richardson, senior defensive back Jae'Veyon Morton, junior defensive lineman Elijah Williams, and sophomore return specialist Keith Jenkins Jr. were first-team selections. Senior offensive lineman Marvin Atuatasi and junior linebacker Erick Hunter were second-team picks.
RETURN MEN
The 2023 Morgan State Bears return 16 starters - 8 on offense, 8 on defense and 1 on special teams.
CAMPAIGNING FOR SUCCESS
The Bears enter the 2023 season looking to post their first winning season since going 6-5 in 2009. MSU's 7-6 record in 2014 was vacated.
NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
The Bears will open the 2023 campaign with two of its first three non-conference matchups coming on the road. MSU opens the season at Richmond (Sept. 2), followed by a game at Akron (Sept. 9). The Bears will host Towson (Sept. 16) and Albany (Sept. 23), before traveling to face Yale (Sept. 30). The Bears round out non-conference play when they host Stony Brook (Oct. 7) for homecoming.
BEARS OPEN 48th SEASON IN MEAC
The Bears will open its 48th season in the MEAC when they host Norfolk State for the conference opener on Oct. 8 ... it will also mark Morgan's Homecoming.
• The Bears opened the 2022 MEAC schedule with a 24-21 loss against Norfolk State (Oct. 8) at Hughes Stadium.
• The Bears kicked off its first season in the MEAC in 1971. Morgan State withdrew from the conference at the end of the 1979-80 fiscal year, before returning to the MEAC in 1984.
MSU LEGEND EARL "PAPA BEAR" BANKS
Earl "Papa Bear" Banks was a legendary head coach at Morgan State University,
• In 1960, Banks took over the head coaching position at Morgan State from 2011 Trailblazer Award winner, Edward Hurt.
• In his 14 seasons as head coach, he would lead the Bears to six CIAA titles, one CIAA Northern Division championship and one Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. Banks had an overall record of 96-31-2 after he retired from coaching 1973 and produced three undefeated seasons from 1965 through 1967.
• He guided Morgan State to four bowl games, winning the 1965 Orange Blossom Classic and the 1966 Tangerine Bowl.
• He was named the American Football Coaches Association's recipient of the 2018 Trailblazer Award. The award was presented, posthumously, at the 2019 AFCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
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.
