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GAME TIME
Morgan State (3-5, 0-1) will host the Norfolk State Spartans (3-6, 1-1) on Saturday, Nov. 2. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Hughes Stadium. The game will air on ESPN+ and will also be broadcast by WEAA, 88.9FM. The game will also mark Greek Exalted Day.
GAME COVERAGE
ESPN+ will air the game live. Phil Schoener will call the play-by-play with color analyst Emory "The Czar of the Playbook" Hunt. Cayla Sweazie will be the sideline reporter.
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.
THE SERIES
• Saturday's game will mark the 45th meeting between the two schools ... Norfolk State leads the series against Morgan with an overall record of 31-13 since the teams first played in 1965.
• The Spartans have won 14 of the last 16 meetings since 2007.
• Oct. 28, 2023, Tahj Smith took off for a 14-yard run, barreling into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown to lead Morgan 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.
THE COACHES
• Damon Wilson enters his 3rd 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 championships.
• Dawson Odums (NCCU, '97) enters his fourth year at the helm of the Norfolk State Spartans. Odums has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience. Odums enjoyed a stellar 10-year run at Southern University where he had a winning record in each of his eight full seasons at the helm of the program.
QUICK HITS
• The 2024 Morgan State Bears will be under the leadership of third year head coach Damon Wilson. Wilson, the 24th 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.
• Sophomore quarterback Tahj Smith enters the season as the Bears' starter. Smith's emergence comes after a freshman season in which he appeared in five games and started in the last four games of the season. He completed 29-of-71 passes (40.8 pct) for 426 yards and three touchdowns. He was also the team's third leading rusher, accumulating 159 yards on 4.1 average carries and scoring two touchdowns.
• RS Keith Jenkins Jr. enters 2024 as a Preseason All-MEAC First Team selection and will certainly be one to watch. Appearing in 10 games throughout the season, Jenkins showcased his versatility as both a running back, a receiver, and most notably as a dangerous return specialist. He averaged an impressive average of 23.2 yards per kick return, ranking him fourth in the MEAC.
• Last season, 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 and finished with 116 carries, 584 yd, 2 TDs in 10 games played.
• Morgan has a number of offensive lineman as they enter the 2024 season ... The Bears have 19 OL listed on the roster and will be led by veteran Preseason All-MEAC First Team T Treyvon Branch. (6-3, 290).
• LB Erick Hunter, is on the official watch list for the 2024 Black College Football Player of the Year Watch List, led the MEAC with 75 tackles and ranked No. 6 in tackles for loss (9.5). In addition to his elite tackling ability, Hunter also showcased his versatility and playmaking skills. He registered 7 quarterback hurries, 3.0 sacks (No. 11), two forced fumbles, two interceptions and a pass breakup.
• DL Elijah Williams, is on the official watch list for the 2024 Black College Football Player of the Year Watch List, was a defensive standout in the trenches for the Bears in 2023. The New Jersey product registered 50 total tackles, including 31 solo tackles. His ability to penetrate the offensive line and disrupt plays was unmatched, as evidenced by his league-leading 11.0 tackles for loss.
• Morgan suffered a 16-7 road loss to #20/21 N.C. Central in their last outing on Oct. 26. QB Tahj Smith had a solid outing by completing 9-of-23 passes for 102 yards. RB Jason Collins Jr. ran for 72-yds and a TD on the ground.
NOTABLE NATIONAL NOTES
Here are a few 2024 FCS national statistics of note on offense, defense and special teams that pertained to the Bears:
• The Bears rank No. 4 in passing yards allowed (134.5), No. 5 in total defense (283.3), T-No. 12 in fumbles recovered (7), No. 12 in red zone defense (120), No. 12 in first downs defense (120), T-No. 10 in scoring defense (17.5), No. 14 in 4th down conversion pct. defense (.333), rank T-No. 15 in turnover margin (0.88), T-No. 20 in turnovers gained (14), No. 21 in time of possession (31.45), T-No. 33 in interceptions (7), T-No. 36 in fewest penalties per game (5.5), and No. 47 (148.8) in rushing defense. Nana Asante ranks No. 1 in blocked kicks (3), Beckett Leary ranks T-No. 34 in field goal percentage (.750), and Elijah Williams ranks T-No. 6 in sacks (8).
MOVING THE BALL
Through eight (8) games, the Bears had eight (8) drives of 10-plus plays, which ended with scores and resulted in a total of 48 points. The Bears also ranked No. 1 in the MEAC in 3rd Down Conversions (41%), and No. 4 in first downs (138; 17.3).
TEAM'S TURNOVERS & TAKEAWAYS
• Turnovers and takeaways will be interesting this week.
• Morgan State and Norfolk State have only seven turnovers apiece this season (T-No. 14 in FCS).
• Morgan State's defense has recorded 14 takeaways to rank T-No. 20 nationally. Norfolk State is T-14 nationally with 15 takeaways.
AGENT ZERO
Elijah Williams was nothing short of a one-man wrecking crew during the Bears' tough loss at #20/21 N.C. Central. His standout moment came just before halftime, when he managed to bring down the Eagles' quarterback and force a crucial fumble. The defensive lineman finished with four tackles, including a pair of sacks and also blocked a field goal attempt. "Agent Zero" is just one sack shy of breaking the school record for career sacks (28.5; Christopher Robinson) … Williams has 28 sacks and counting …
A GLANCE AT THE SPARTANS
• Norfolk State finished the 2023 season with a 3-8 overall record and went 1-4 in the MEAC.
• Norfolk State was picked to finish No. 5 in the MEAC Preseason Coaches Poll. Four (4) Spartans earned recognition on the 2024 Preseason All-MEAC Football Team.
• Norfolk's last time out, Feb. 26: Norfolk State delivered a Homecoming victory to a sold-out crowd at William "Dick" Price Stadium on Saturday afternoon, taking down Howard 21-20. Kevon King led Norfolk State (3-6, 1-1 MEAC) with 78 rushing yards, scoring the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Howard (3-5, 0-1) outgained NSU 371-287, but lost the turnover and special teams' battle.
• Norfolk was named the HBCU+ FCS National Team of the Week by Stats Perform, the organization announced on Monday - here.
• Sophomore QB Jalen Daniels is one of the top QBs in the MEAC. He has completed 77-of-135 passes for 948 yards, including 6 TDs.
• WR Jacquez Jones ranks No. 7 in the MEAC in receptions (33) and receiving yards (409) with 3 TDs ... RB Kevon King ranks No. 3 with 99 carries for 596 yards and seven TDs.
• LBs AJ Richardson and Terique Miles are two of the top defenders in the conference. Richardson ranks No. 1 in the MEAC in tackles (84), with 8.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Miles ranks No. 4 with 61 stops (27 solo) with 2.5 tackles for loss and a breakup.
• Norfolk is among the league leaders in a number of statistical categories: No. 1 in interceptions (11), No. 2 penalties (51), No. 3 in field goals (5-9), No. 3 rushing offense (152.8), and No. 5 sacks (9).
• On Oct. 28, 2023, 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 MEAC win of the season.
A LOOK AHEAD
Morgan will travel to Dover to face the Delaware State Hornets on Saturday, Nov. 9. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Alumni Stadium. The game will air on ESPN+.
PRESEASON PICKED THIRD
Morgan State was picked to finish third (3rd) in the MEAC standings, according to the poll of the conference head coaches and sports information directors.
North Carolina Central has been picked win the MEAC Football Championship as the Eagles topped the league's annual preseason poll for 2024. Returning MEAC champion Howard was picked to place 2nd.
PRESEASON ALL-MEAC PLAYERS
Eight (8) Bears were named to the MEAC preseason team at the 2024 MEAC Football Press Luncheon in Norfolk, Va. Senior OL Treyvon Branch, senior DL Elijah Williams, senior LB Erick Hunter, junior RS Keith Jenkins Jr. were first-team selections. Sophomore QB Tahj Smith, senior DL Nana Asante, senior DB Carlvainsky Decius, and sophomore DB Ja'son Prevard were second-team picks.
BEARS OPEN 49th SEASON IN MEAC
The Bears will open its 49th season in the MEAC when they travel to face North Carolina Central for the conference opener on Oct. 26.
• The Bears opened the 2023 MEAC schedule with a 16-10 loss against North Carolina Central (Oct. 19) 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.
BEARS OPEN 125th SEASON OF FOOTBALL SINCE 1898
MSU enters its 125th season of football and will open the 2024 campaign under third year head coach Damon Wilson.
RETURN MEN
The 2024 Morgan State Bears return 18 starters - 7 on offense, 8 on defense and 3 on special teams.
CAMPAIGNING FOR SUCCESS
The Bears enter the 2024 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 2024 campaign with three of its first seven non-conference matchups coming on the road. MSU opens the season at Hampton (Aug. 31), followed by a game at Towson (Sept. 6) and Ohio (Sept.14). The Bears will host Virginia Lynchburg (Sept. 21), before traveling to face Stony Brook (Sept. 28). The Bears round out non-conference play when they host Lincoln (Pa.) (Oct. 5) and Merrimack (Oct. 12).
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.
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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.
