STONY BROOK, N.Y. (Sept. 28, 2024) — The last time Morgan State faced off against the Stony Brook was two years ago in a memorable clash that left an indelible mark on both teams that ended with a walk-off game-winning field goal by the Seawolves at Lavalle Stadium.
This time around for the Bears, it was not close.
Morgan's (2-3) defense is not used to being pushed around, but today the Seawolves proved too much for the Bears, especially on the ground, as they posted a 22-3 victory. It was a methodical outing for Stony Brook as they improved to 4-1 on the season, winning their fourth straight of the season.
The Bears grabbed an early lead after a 25-yard field goal by Beckett Leary completed a 7-play, 74 yard drive that consumed 3:29. Morgan led 3-0.
Early in the second quarter running back Roland Dempster scored on a 2-yard run to cap a 9-play, 72 yard drive. The extra point attempt by Edna Kirby was blocked by the long arms of senior defensive lineman Nana Asante. The Seawolves led 6-3.
Stony Brook extended the lead when Kirby connected on a 28-yd field goal as part of an 8-play, 54 yard drive at the 6:34 mark of the second quarter.
Senior quarterback Duce Taylor, who was making his first start of the season, was solid throughout most of the opening half, until he was hit on a scramble and coughed up the ball near midfield.
The Seawolves capitalized eight plays and 44-yards later when Dempster found the endzone on a 1-yard TD plunge. Morgan went into the halftime break trailing 16-3.
Stony Brook got. Back on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter as they used a heavy dose of Dempster runs. Marshall tossed a short playaction pass to Dempster who raced 19-yards before a touchdown saving tackle by Bryan Stukes at the Morgan 4. On the very next play, Dempster smashed into the endzone. The ensuing extra point kick was blocked again by Asante, as the Bears trailed 22-3 with 9:22 left in 3rd quarter.
The Seawolves came up up just shy of another score toward the end of the quarter.On 4th and 1 from the 4, Marshall ran a read option and tried to keep it himself but fumbled the ball into the endzone. Reginald Barnes pounced on the ball in the endzone, securing it for the Bears.
Stony Brook had their way with the Bears on the ground as they finished with a game-high 287 yards, led by Dempster who finished with 158 yards and three touchdowns. Johnny Martin III added 90 yards on 15 carries.
Morgan's defense was led by Bryan Stukes and Arturo Mattocks who had 13 tackles apiece.
Next Up:
▪️The Bears look to regroup for Homecoming Saturday versus the Division II member Lincoln (PA) Lions (0-4) for homecoming at Hughes Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
▪️ Damon Wilson remains on the cusp of a significant milestone … he will enter next week's game just one victory shy of 100 for his coaching career.
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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.
