It was bad.
That’s all Morgan State football coach Donald Hill-Eley had to say to describe his team’s 35-9 loss at Norfolk State Saturday. The defeat dealt a major blow to the Bears’ Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title hopes.
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“We have to keep working and let the chips fall where they may,” Hill-Eley said. “It’s a situation where you are playing with your own fate in your own hands, and that’s not where you go out and play.”
The Bears (6-4, 4-2) failed to look the part of a contender for a league title, let alone a spot in the 16-team Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs, as they were dominated at Norfolk State (4-6, 3-4).
Morgan State yielded a meager 184 yards of total offense, but gift-wrapped the win for the Spartans with miscues the team had managed to avoid so far this season. Norfolk State forced seven turnovers – four interceptions and three fumble recoveries – returning one of each for a touchdown. The Spartans also managed an anemic 12 first downs but had six by way of the Bears’ penalties. Morgan State finished with 11 penalties for 106 yards.
If Morgan State has any chance at its first MEAC title since it was a Division II school in 1979, it must win its final two games, both at home. First, the Bears host No. 19 South Carolina State (8-2, 6-0) Saturday at Hughes Stadium, and finish with Hampton (5-4, 4-2) Nov. 22. If Morgan State wins out, it also needs North Carolina A&T (3-8, 1-6) to find a way to upset South Carolina State on the last day of the regular season.
“We are just focused and trying to make it happen,” Morgan State senior defensive end Clarence McPherson said. “We aren’t listening to what anyone else says.”
Poor quarterback play continues to cost the Bears. Three different players saw action under center, but leading passer, junior Carlton Jackson, was sidelined with a sprained shoulder. Senior Mario Melton – who started much of last season before moving to receiver during fall practice – returned to his natural position but completed just 6-of-16 attempts for 100 yards with one touchdown against two interceptions. Classmate Jeremy Glover was worse, completing just 3-of-7 passes for 18 yards with two interceptions.
Junior running back Devan James, who entered the game as the MEAC’s leading rusher by averaging nearly 120 yards per game, gained just 69 yards on 15 carries.
“I gave the guys the message it was time to check themselves,” Hill-Eley said. “A lot of names I was used to hearing over the PA for making plays, I didn’t hear.”
Morgan State vs. South Carolina State
» When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
» Where: Hughes Stadium
» Radio: 88.9 FM
» Tickets: Available
