Even in losing to Towson for the third consecutive meeting, Morgan State?s football players gained something: a new image.
“Last year, it was a straight blow out?like we had nothing,” said running back Chad Simpson, referring to a 28-point loss. “But everyone sees the new Morgan. We are getting real close to where we want to be.”
But they are not there yet. The Bears have an excellent chance to get closer toward becoming one of the best teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference when they host Winston-Salem State (1-1) in a nonleague game Saturday. However, it will be a tough week for the Bears, which squandered an opportunity to elevate their program by defeating Towson. The Bears rallied from an 11-point deficit to tie the game at 21 before losing 28-21 at Hughes Stadium. Now, the Bears must focus on the Rams, who are coming off a 28-21 loss to Coastal Carolina on Saturday.
Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley said it will be imperative his team eliminates the mistakes he believes cost his team the game against Towson.
“It?s a loss, but there?s so much we can learn from it, and we can show them, that when they take advantage of opportunities and make plays, they can be victorious,” Hill-Eley said. “If you look at the plays we left on the field [against Towson], hell, our band should have been playing all night long.”
It appeared the Bears would turn a forgettable start to a memorable finish, as they tied the game at 21 after recording a safety when Towson quarterback Sean Schaefer fell on a bad snap for in the end zone with 13:42 remaining. Morgan State had a chance to take the lead on its ensuing possession. The Bears drove to the Tigers? 31-yard line, but on third-and-seven, safety Kenny Scott stepped in front of Mario Melton?s pass and returned an interception 68 yards to the Bears? 2 yard-line. On the next play, Schaefer found tight end John Godlasky in the back of the end zone for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with 9:53 remaining. Morgan State did not cross midfield again.
However, the Bears? performance proved they are much-improved from last year?s team?and they should be. Morgan State returned 10 starters from last year?s team that finished 4-6. Through two games, the Bears have scored 68 points and gained more 720 yards, led by Simpson, an All-MEAC player who has rushed for 337 yards and 4 touchdowns. Against Towson, Simpson, who boldly predicted he would amass 2,000 yards this season, rushed for 195 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.
“We are a good team and not a push over and we aren?t the old Morgan,” junior quarterback Mario Melton said. “We are a whole new breed of people and we are going to come to play.”
