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Football MSU Athletics Communications

Morgan State Makes History, Enters Stats Perform FCS Top 25 at No. 24

BALTIMORE, Md. (Oct. 12, 2026) – Morgan State football has made history, earning its first-ever appearance in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25, debuting at No. 24 in the latest national media poll released Monday.

The milestone marks the first time Morgan State has appeared in the national media rankings, which date back to approximately 1990, underscoring the significance of the Bears' breakthrough season and their emergence on the national stage.

The historic recognition comes on the heels of the Bears' thrilling 28-27 Homecoming victory over Robert Morris on Saturday at Hughes Stadium, where a one-yard touchdown run by senior running back Keith Jenkins Jr. with 24 seconds remaining capped a dramatic comeback and improved Morgan State to 5-1 overall.

Morgan State received 116 points in the poll, marking a significant milestone for a program that has surged into the national spotlight with its best start to a season since 2009. The Bears have won four consecutive games and already surpassed their win total from the 2025 season.

Under head coach Damon Wilson, Morgan State has built momentum through a series of hard-fought victories, including wins over North Carolina A&T, Towson, Villanova and Robert Morris. The Bears' only loss this season came against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent Arizona State.

The Bears' back-to-back dramatic victories over Villanova and Robert Morris have highlighted the team's resilience and ability to execute in critical moments. Morgan State edged Villanova, 38-35, on Oct. 3, before rallying to defeat Robert Morris in front of an announced Homecoming crowd of 11,200.

Against the Colonials, Morgan State overcame a 14-point deficit and outscored Robert Morris 18-7 in the third quarter before Jenkins delivered the decisive touchdown in the final minute. The Bears totaled 369 yards of offense, including 188 rushing yards, in the victory.

The No. 24 ranking represents a landmark moment for Morgan State football and adds to the growing recognition surrounding the Bears' turnaround. The program last posted a winning season in 2014, when it finished 7-6 and made its only appearance in the FCS playoffs.

Morgan State will look to continue its momentum Saturday, Oct. 17, when the Bears travel to Nashville, Tennessee, to face Tennessee State at Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, with the game airing on ESPN+.

With its first-ever appearance in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 secured, Morgan State has reached a historic milestone nearly four decades in the making. The Bears now turn their attention to the challenge ahead, looking to build on their breakthrough start and continue establishing themselves among the nation's top FCS programs.



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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master's degree, doctorate, and certificate programs. 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.
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Keith Jenkins Jr.

#1 Keith Jenkins Jr.

RB
6' 0"
Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

Keith Jenkins Jr.

#1 Keith Jenkins Jr.

6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
RB