dub38
38
Winner Morgan St. MOR 4-1 , 0-0
35
Villanova VIL 2-4 , 1-2
Winner
Morgan St. MOR
4-1 , 0-0
38
Final
35
Villanova VIL
2-4 , 1-2
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
MOR Morgan St. 14 10 0 14 38
VIL Villanova 7 7 7 14 35

Game Recap: Football | | MSU Athletics Communications

Bears Rally Past Villanova, 38-35, on Edge’s Late Heroics

Cameron Edge throws for the third-most passing yards in Morgan State history, then scores the game-winning touchdown with 36 seconds remaining.

VILLANOVA, Pa. (October 3, 2026) — Cameron Edge delivered a performance for the Morgan State record book Saturday afternoon — and saved his biggest play for last.

Edge threw for the third-most passing yards in Morgan State history, completing 31 of 40 passes for 444 yards and three touchdowns, then scored the go-ahead touchdown with 36 seconds remaining to lift the Bears to a thrilling 38-35 victory over Villanova at Villanova Stadium.

The victory marked one of the biggest wins of the season for Morgan State, which entered Saturday riding the momentum of a 41-26 victory over cross-town rival Towson last Saturday.

"It's a big win, man," Morgan State head coach Damon Wilson said. "It's a Top 25 team. It's a team that was in the semifinals a year ago. It's a historic program that has national championships under its belt. So it's big for us."

The Bears improved to 4-1, marking the first time Morgan State has opened a season 4-1 since 2009, when the Bears started that season 5-1 and finished with a 6-5 winning record.

For Morgan State center Daniel Casillas Jr., the victory was a chance for the Bears to prove that the recognition surrounding the program is backed by substance.

"We showed up, we got the recognition, and we backed it up," Casillas said. "Simple as that. That's all it is."

With Morgan State trailing late in the fourth quarter, Edge orchestrated a clutch scoring drive that moved the Bears into position to take the lead.

Facing a critical moment, the quarterback finished the drive himself, powering across the goal line from two yards out with 36 seconds left to put Morgan State ahead, 38-35.

Villanova had one final opportunity to answer.

The Wildcats quickly moved down the field and into field-goal range, but their 47-yard attempt fell short as time expired, sending the Bears' sideline into a celebration.
 

For Edge, the victory was about much more than his historic statistical performance.

"I think it was a big win for the program, not just this team, but for teams that come after us," Edge said. "That's a huge win. That's a real legit program we played against—not just a good team, a really good program."

Edge's 444 passing yards rank No. 3 all-time in Morgan State history, trailing only LeJominick Washington's school-record 515 yards in 2001 and Orlando Persell's 484 yards in 1992. Washington completed 31 of 46 passes in his record-setting performance.



Edge completed nearly 78 percent of his attempts against the Wildcats, repeatedly finding his playmakers downfield while spreading the ball around throughout the afternoon.

"Today we were efficient," Edge said. "I think a lot of guys touched the ball. We had a lot of running backs catch the ball as well, so I think everybody did a good job."

Edge's historic day was fueled by an explosive group of playmakers, led by Justin Perry, who turned in a monster performance against the Wildcats.

Perry finished with a game-high 152 receiving yards on six catches, including an electrifying 88-yard reception that helped ignite Morgan State's offensive attack.

His big-play ability was a major factor in the Bears' ability to consistently stretch the Villanova defense and keep the Wildcats from settling into a rhythm.

Running back Keith Jenkins Jr. also played a major role in the passing game, finishing with a game-high eight receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown.

Jenkins said the victory reinforced the belief Morgan State has in itself.

"I feel like it was really important for our morale," Jenkins said. "Staying together, showing that we can actually compete with anybody."

Jenkins also credited the offensive line for helping create the balance and rhythm that allowed the Bears' offense to stay productive.

"They're doing their job up front," Jenkins said. "They're playing together. They're communicating. That's all we need as an offense."

 Jenkins was equally emphatic when discussing what Edge has brought to the Morgan State program.

"I love Cam. I'm glad he came to the program," Jenkins said. "He's a great leader. He's leading everybody in the right direction, so shoutout to Cam."

The offensive success was also a reflection of Morgan State's offensive line, which has established itself as one of the strengths of the Bears' offense this season.

"They showed up," Edge said of the offensive line. "They always do, especially when we need them the most. They've done a really good job, and they get better every week as well."

Known as the "Trench Mob," the Morgan State offensive line once again provided Edge with the time and protection needed to attack a talented Villanova defense.

Casillas praised Edge's ability to make the critical plays when the game demanded them.

"He stepped in the pocket and made some big-time throws for us," Casillas said. "Ultimately, those are the types of throws that got us the victory today."
 
Cam TD

After Edge's touchdown gave Morgan State the lead, the Bears' defense faced its biggest challenge of the afternoon.

Villanova quickly moved into position for a potential game-tying or winning field goal, but Morgan State held the Wildcats to a 47-yard attempt.

"We knew we had to go down and score, and we tried to waste as much time as we could before we scored," Wilson said. "Defensively, we had to come out and get a stop."

The Wildcats' final kick was short, sealing the Bears' dramatic victory.

Wilson admitted he would have preferred a different final defensive sequence after Villanova gained enough yardage to get into field-goal range.

"We gave up one play that put them in field-goal range that I was a little upset about," Wilson said. "But the good thing about it, man, the man above had our back today for sure and blessed us at the end of the ballgame."

For Edge, there was no panic during the decisive possession — only confidence in the opportunity in front of the Bears.

"They gave us a chance, and they messed that up," Edge said. "We're always in a fight, always got a chance, and if you give us the ball back, we're taking it one play at a time, and we'll finish."

The victory was another statement moment for a Morgan State program continuing to establish itself among the nation's top FCS teams.

For Edge, the meaning of the victory extended beyond Saturday's scoreboard.

"To get that win in the fashion we did, it shows a lot about this team and our program and how we're evolving," he said.

For Jenkins, the Bears now have an opportunity to bring that momentum home.

With Homecoming on deck, the message is simple.

"We gotta give back to our alums," Jenkins said. "Go out and get another dub."


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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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