Morgan falls to 1-5 in close loss to N.C. Central
Morgan State falls to 1-5 as Two second half turnovers were just enough to keep the Bears from upsetting the North Carolina Central Eagles who bested Morgan 16-10
Morgan State came into this game with two weeks of preparation after a forced cancellation of their Homecoming game against Stoney Brook on Oct. 7 and a bye week.
The Bears came into this contest ready to Stand on business against last year’s MEAC player of the year Davius Richard and the number one team in the MEAC. You could see this on the first posession of the game as Dominique Anthony and the rest of this Morgan Offense came out looking better than they have all season. The Bears would start with a methodical 14 play 60 yard drive which would end in a 32-yard Beckett Leary field goal. The ensuing drive the Morgan Defense would set their tone for the rest of the game forcing the Eagles to go three-and-out.
For the entire first half the Morgan defense showed why they are number one in the MEAC making the number one MEAC offense look very pedestrian. Morgan State would be the first team to shut the Eagles out at through the first half since playing UCLA Sept. 16. At half time Richard was held to 27 passing yards.
Coming out of halftime the Eagles offense looked as advertised moving the ball efficiently and opening the half with a 10 play 39 yard drive that would end in a 38-yard Adrian Olivo Field goal tying the game at 3-3.
With 5:25 left to go in the third quarter as the Bears are driving quarterback Dominique Anthony threw an interception to Eagles defensive back Jason Chambers. This turnover would change the momentum of the game and lead to the first touchdown of the game, as Richards would complete a 5 yard pass to Tynez Warner.
After a punt from each team another promising drive was squandered by a Morgan State turnover as receiver Kwincy Hall would fumble. This turnover would set up another Eagles field goal stretching their lead to 13-3. Morgan would turn the ball over on downs leading to another Eagles field goal making the game 16-3 with 1:44 left to go.
The Bears would not quit this one as Anthony would hit Receiver Joseph Owumi for a 40-yard touchdown to make the score 16-10. That would be the last drive for Morgan as Central would knee the ball to end the game.
Morgan’s offense would actually out gain the Eagles in this contest as the Bears would finish with 285 yards of total offense to N.C. Central’s 201. Richard would finish 16/30 for 122 yards and a touchdown. Anthony would have a better outing than the former MEAC player of the year going 17/28 for 167 yards a touchdown and an interception. The Bears would also run the ball better than expected as they would average 4.4 yards per carry and rush for 118 yards total to the Eagles’ 79.
The Bears’ look to get their first conference win next week as they travel to Norfolk, Va and face a fierce rival in the Spartans of Norfolk State on Oct. 28.
