BALTIMORE, Md. (April 17, 2025) — On Thursday the Morgan State Football team took to the field for their annual Spring Ball game, offering fans a first glimpse of what's to come in the 2025 season. Held under the lights at Hughes Stadium, the Bears put their offseason work on full display, with players across both sides of the ball giving it their all to leave a lasting impression.
While there were flashes of offensive potential, it was the defense that stole the show. From the opening snap, the Bears' defensive unit set the tone—bringing relentless energy, tight coverage, and hard-hitting tackles. Linebackers clogged up the run game, defensive backs swarmed receivers, and the front line applied consistent pressure throughout the evening.
Head Coach David Wilson spoke about his satisfaction as the spring drills concluded.
"I think everything went well, " said Wilson. "We stayed healthy, which was the biggest thing."
Wilson then shifted his focus to the performance on the field, adding, "Defensively, we had some guys flying around and making plays—it was good to see. And on offense, some of the quarterbacks started to show leadership."
Key standouts included returning veterans who provided leadership and poise, along with a few younger players who used the spring game to make a name for themselves. The defensive unit is poised to once again be the cornerstone of their team's success, aiming to maintain their dominance within the MEAC conference. With a reputation for hard-hitting tackles, disruptive pass rushes, and a knack for forcing turnovers, the Bears' defense is looking to build upon last year's impressive performance.
As the Bears continue to search for their starting quarterback Raymond Moore III was a player who shined in the game.
"I feel like the game went pretty well," said Moore. "We've just got to improve on not hurting ourselves on offense—that's what really threw us off today."
As the team continues to prepare for the upcoming season moving the ball is something that the team wants to work on.
"We did do a good job moving the ball in the run game at times. And I think in order to win championships, you have to run the football and stop the run. And we didn't do a good job of that today," said Wilson.
Quavel Thornton, a familiar face in the wide receiver corps, exudes optimism heading into the new season. His three years with the team offer a valuable perspective, and he's clearly invigorated by the current atmosphere. 'I feel good,' he stated. "We're all together, we're all working hard, and we're getting everything situated" suggests a cohesive unit with a shared purpose and laying a solid foundation for the season.
Wide receiver Maurice Crutchfield echoed the positive sentiments surrounding the team's offensive development. 'I think we made some good strides as an offense. I feel like we're going to be explosive this year,' he stated, highlighting the unit's progress. The return of players like Crutchfield and others has injected valuable experience and leadership into the squad, helping to guide the younger players and set the tone for a potentially high-powered offensive season.
With spring practice now in the books, the Bears will shift their focus to summer training as they continue building momentum for what promises to be an exciting 2025 season.
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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.
