BALTIMORE, Md. (Nov. 14, 2026) – Redshirt senior running back Keith Jenkins Jr. delivered a career-best performance to help Morgan State send its seniors out on a winning note Saturday afternoon, powering the Bears to a 17-7 victory over Norfolk State in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) action at Hughes Stadium.
Jenkins rushed for a career-high 159 yards on 17 carries, averaging 9.4 yards per attempt, and scored the game's biggest touchdown on a spectacular 57-yard run late in the third quarter. His explosive score with 43 seconds remaining put Morgan State back up 14-7 and gave the Bears the momentum they carried to the finish.
The victory snapped a four-game losing streak, improved Morgan State to 6-5 overall and 1-3 in MEAC play, and extended the Bears' winning streak against Norfolk State to four consecutive games (2023-2026). Morgan State has now won four of the last five meetings between the programs dating back to 2022. It also provided a fitting Senior Day celebration for Morgan State's 30-member senior class.
The contest was part of the Bears' Military and First Responder Appreciation Day, as Morgan State honored its seniors and recognized those who have served and continue to serve their communities and country.
Making his first start of the season, quarterback Ade Olanegan completed 14 of 26 passes for 107 yards while adding a four-yard touchdown run with one minute remaining in the first half. The score capped a three-play, 27-yard drive and gave the Bears a 7-0 advantage heading into the locker room.
Joseph Towler was Olanegan's leading receiving target, hauling in four receptions for 54 yards. Dante Archie added two catches for 20 receiving yards.
Norfolk State (4-7, 0-4 MEAC) answered in the third quarter, tying the contest at 7-7 on a five-yard touchdown run by Jalyn Daniels with 10:43 remaining. However, Jenkins quickly shifted momentum back to the Bears with a 57-yard touchdown run just over 10 minutes later.
Morgan State's defense was equally impressive, delivering a disruptive performance that featured four sacks, two fumble recoveries, six pass breakups and three interceptions. The Bears consistently pressured Norfolk State's quarterbacks while creating key turnovers that helped preserve the victory.
One of the afternoon's biggest defensive highlights came when defensive lineman Kristopher Boyd deflected a pass that landed in the hands of fellow defensive lineman Anthony Chuman. Chuman raced 55 yards downfield before being tracked down at the Norfolk State 25-yard line. The takeaway set up Alex Amaya's 24-yard field goal with 3:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, extending Morgan State's advantage to 17-7.
Norfolk State quarterback DaJean Golmond completed 12 of 21 passes for 165 yards but was intercepted three times and sacked twice. Backup Deljay Bailey completed 9 of 14 passes for 38 yards in the second half. The Spartans were also limited to 118 rushing yards and just seven points.
Head coach
Damon Wilson praised his team's resilience and ability to overcome adversity, particularly with injuries and personnel challenges throughout the season.
"We've been through a lot of adversity, with injuries and guys being out, but these guys never waver. They continue to fight, and that's what I appreciate most about them. We're still growing, and we're nowhere near a finished product, but I really like the perseverance and grit this team continues to show," Wilson said.
The Bears' balanced effort on both sides of the football secured their sixth victory of the season and gave the senior class one final celebration at Hughes Stadium.
Morgan State will close out the 2026 campaign next Saturday, Nov. 21, when the Bears travel to Durham, N.C., to face North Carolina Central in the season finale. Kickoff at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m., with live coverage available on ESPN+.
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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.
