BALTIMORE, Md. (September 11, 2023) -- Morgan State senior defensive back Jordan Toles has been named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in the Bears' 24-21 heartbreaker at Akron. The announcement was made Monday by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference office. Morgan's freshman punter Shane Messenger was recognized as the Rookie of the Week.
Toles (6-foot-1, 209-pounds) collected two key interceptions during the Bears' upset bid against the Akron Zips. He also recorded five tackles, two solo, as part of the Bears' defense that garnered a shutout in the third quarter.
The Bears' defense currently ranks nationally No. 1 in turnovers gained (9), T-No. 4 in interceptions (4) and No. 8 in total defense (265.0).
Messenger (6-foot, 200-pounds) averaged 35.2 yards on six punts, including one downed inside the 20 yard-line. The Alexandria (Va.) product also recorded a game-high 46-yard kick.
Messenger currently ranks No. 4 among the MEAC leaders in punting with a 38.4 average, including a season-long 50-yarder.
Morgan will welcome the Towson Tigers to Hughes Stadium in a non-conference matchup on Saturday, Sept. 16 in the 'Battle for Greater Baltimore'. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Hughes Stadium in Baltimore, Md. The game will air on ESPN+. The game will also be broadcast by WEAA, 88.9FM.
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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.
