No. 24 Morgan State Falls to Tennessee State 25-16, Four-Game Winning Streak Comes to an End
By Brian Hradsky
October 18, 2026 | Morgan State Bears Football | Maryland Sports Blog
The Morgan State Bears suffered a disappointing 25-16 loss to the Tennessee State Tigers Saturday night at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, ending their four-game winning streak. Morgan State entered the contest ranked No. 24 nationally but struggled with turnovers and offensive consistency against a Tennessee State team that had won just once entering the matchup. Quarterback Cameron Edge threw for 162 yards and one touchdown, while running back Keith Jenkins Jr. rushed for 113 yards and a score. The loss dropped Morgan State to 5-2 overall, while Tennessee State improved to 2-5.
The Bears entered the contest with considerable momentum following four consecutive victories and a No. 1 ranking in the Black College Football Division I FCS Poll. However, Tennessee State controlled possession for much of the evening and capitalized on Morgan State’s offensive mistakes. The Tigers accumulated 360 total yards compared to Morgan State’s 301 and repeatedly extended drives against the Bears’ defense. Despite briefly taking the lead during the third quarter, Morgan State could not overcome Tennessee State’s late offensive surge.
First Quarter: Early Turnovers Put Morgan State Behind
Tennessee State opened the scoring with an impressive trick play on its first offensive possession. Wide receiver Jeremiah Treadwell lateraled the football to Jaden Jones, who connected with Cam Bulluck for a 50-yard touchdown pass. The four-play, 81-yard drive gave Tennessee State a 6-0 advantage after the extra-point attempt failed. Morgan State immediately faced pressure to respond against an energized Tennessee State defense playing before its Homecoming crowd.
Morgan State’s first offensive possession ended when Edge threw an interception to cornerback Rymen Mosley, who returned the football 18 yards. Tennessee State capitalized with a 13-play, 60-yard drive that ended with Preston Hurless converting a 25-yard field goal, extending the lead to 9-0. Mosley intercepted Edge again later in the opening quarter, stopping another promising Morgan State possession near the Tennessee State goal line. The two turnovers prevented the Bears from establishing offensive rhythm and allowed the Tigers to control the opening period.
Second Quarter: Jenkins Sparks Morgan State Comeback
Morgan State began turning the game around early in the second quarter when Jenkins broke free for a 28-yard touchdown run. The scoring play capped a quick two-play, 50-yard possession and demonstrated the explosiveness that has made Jenkins one of Morgan State’s most productive offensive players. Gavin Fetty converted the extra point, cutting Tennessee State’s lead to 9-7 with 12:14 remaining before halftime. The touchdown gave the Bears much-needed momentum after a difficult opening quarter.
The Bears continued applying pressure midway through the period, using a seven-play, 34-yard drive to move into field-goal range. Fetty connected on a 22-yard attempt with 2:02 remaining, giving Morgan State its first lead of the evening at 10-9. The Bears had overcome their early nine-point deficit and appeared positioned to enter halftime with the advantage. However, Tennessee State responded with an impressive late scoring drive that changed the momentum before the break.
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee directed a six-play, 84-yard drive during the final two minutes of the first half. Lee connected with Bulluck for a 41-yard completion and later used his legs to advance the Tigers into scoring position. With 22 seconds remaining, Lee found Brock Montgomery for a 19-yard touchdown pass, restoring Tennessee State’s lead at 15-10. The unsuccessful two-point conversion left Morgan State trailing by five points entering halftime.
Third Quarter: Bears Take Lead Before Tennessee State Responds
Morgan State opened the second half with renewed offensive urgency, marching 70 yards in seven plays to regain the lead. Edge connected with Joseph Towler for a 30-yard touchdown reception with 11:18 remaining in the third quarter. The Bears attempted a two-point conversion but failed, leaving Morgan State ahead 16-15. The scoring drive demonstrated the offensive potential Morgan State had displayed during its winning streak, but the Bears could not maintain that momentum.
Tennessee State responded with one of the most important possessions of the contest, controlling the football for more than seven minutes. The Tigers executed an 18-play, 65-yard drive that repeatedly tested Morgan State’s defensive discipline and ability to get off the field. Hurless finished the possession with a 27-yard field goal, giving Tennessee State an 18-16 advantage with 3:47 remaining in the quarter. The lengthy drive limited Morgan State’s offensive opportunities while allowing the Tigers to regain control of the game’s tempo.
The Tigers extended their advantage late in the third quarter after another Morgan State defensive breakdown. A penalty helped Tennessee State sustain its possession before Lee connected with Francisco Pratts III for an 11-yard touchdown on fourth-and-two. Hurless converted the extra point, giving Tennessee State a 25-16 lead with 13 seconds remaining in the quarter. The touchdown completed a 10-point third quarter for Tennessee State and left Morgan State facing a nine-point deficit entering the final period.
Fourth Quarter: Morgan State Offense Cannot Complete Comeback
Morgan State entered the fourth quarter needing two scoring possessions to overcome Tennessee State’s advantage. However, the Bears struggled to move the football consistently against a Tigers defense that increased its pressure and limited passing opportunities. Tennessee State held Morgan State to just 51 yards during the final 15 minutes, preventing the Bears from establishing any sustained offensive momentum. The Tigers also forced turnovers on downs during Morgan State’s final two possessions, eliminating any realistic opportunity for a late comeback.
The Bears finished the contest with just two successful third-down conversions in 11 attempts, highlighting one of their biggest offensive weaknesses. Tennessee State’s defense recorded three sacks and repeatedly forced Edge into difficult passing situations. Although Morgan State generated several explosive plays through Jenkins and Towler, the Bears lacked the consistency necessary to sustain scoring drives. Tennessee State protected its nine-point advantage throughout the fourth quarter and secured its second victory of the season.
Jenkins Leads Morgan State Offense
Jenkins delivered one of Morgan State’s strongest individual performances, rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee State. His 28-yard scoring run in the second quarter provided the Bears with their first points and helped reverse the momentum after a difficult opening period. Jenkins consistently demonstrated his ability to create yards after contact and generate explosive plays when Morgan State established its rushing attack. Unfortunately, the Bears could not consistently complement his production with an effective passing game.
Edge completed 16 of 30 passes for 162 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while absorbing three sacks. His touchdown pass to Towler briefly gave Morgan State the lead in the third quarter, but his early turnovers created difficult circumstances for the Bears. Towler finished with three receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown, providing Morgan State with its most productive receiving performance. The Bears accumulated 301 total yards but struggled to sustain drives when facing critical third-down situations.
Morgan State Defense Produces Several Strong Performances
Despite allowing 25 points, Morgan State received several encouraging individual performances from its defensive unit. Junior safety Bryce Djossou led the Bears with seven tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, while also breaking up a pass. Defensive tackle Anthony Chuman added four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, helping create pressure along Tennessee State’s offensive line. The Bears demonstrated their ability to disrupt plays in the backfield, but those efforts were not enough to prevent Tennessee State from sustaining important possessions.
Tennessee State quarterback Lee completed 17 of 34 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. He also led the Tigers with 63 rushing yards, providing another dimension to an offense that repeatedly extended drives. Bulluck finished with six receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown, while Montgomery and Pratts each contributed touchdown receptions. Tennessee State’s ability to protect the football and capitalize on Morgan State’s mistakes ultimately proved decisive.
Morgan State Prepares for MEAC Conference Play
The defeat ended Morgan State’s four-game winning streak and represented the program’s first loss against an FCS opponent this season. The Bears remain 5-2 overall and have an opportunity to regroup before beginning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference competition. Head coach Damon Wilson emphasized the importance of protecting the football and improving third-down execution following the disappointing performance. Those areas will become especially important as Morgan State prepares to face conference opponents with postseason implications.
Morgan State will return to Hughes Stadium on Saturday, October 24, to face rival Howard in its MEAC opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m., giving the Bears an opportunity to regain momentum in front of their home crowd. Morgan State remains in position to pursue its first winning season since 2014, but the program must avoid repeating the mistakes that contributed to Saturday’s defeat. The upcoming conference schedule will provide a significant test of whether the Bears can build on the progress demonstrated during their impressive start to the season.
MSB Take
Morgan State’s loss to Tennessee State was disappointing because the Bears entered the contest with considerable momentum and an opportunity to strengthen their national standing. The team had won four consecutive games and demonstrated the ability to compete against quality opponents, but Saturday’s performance exposed several areas that require improvement. Two first-quarter interceptions immediately placed Morgan State in a difficult position, while its inability to convert third downs prevented the offense from establishing consistency. The Bears cannot expect to defeat quality opponents when they repeatedly give away possessions and struggle to maintain drives.
Jenkins deserves considerable credit for another productive rushing performance, and Towler provided an important scoring contribution during the third quarter. However, Morgan State needs more consistency from its passing attack and better execution when facing manageable third-down situations. The defense produced several encouraging individual performances, but Tennessee State’s lengthy third-quarter scoring drive demonstrated how difficult it can be to win when opponents consistently control possession. Wilson and his coaching staff must address those weaknesses before conference competition begins.
The encouraging news is that Morgan State still controls its opportunity to compete for a MEAC championship despite Saturday’s setback. The Bears have already demonstrated significant improvement this season and remain one victory away from reaching six wins. However, the upcoming matchup against Howard will provide an important indication of how the team responds to adversity. Morgan State must put this loss behind it, eliminate unnecessary mistakes and return to the disciplined football that helped produce its four-game winning streak.
