The Morgan State Bears are a much improved team from last year ? but they still can?t beat the Towson Tigers.
Towson University (2-0) beat rival Morgan State University (1-1) 28-21 Saturday, winning for the third consecutive time against their crosstown rival in front of 8,762 fans at Hughes Stadium.
Safety Kenny Scott sparked the Tigers to victory by stepping in front of a Mario Melton pass and racing to the Bears? 2-yard line to set up the winning touchdown. One play later, Towson quarterback Sean Schaefer found tight end John Godlasky in the back of the end zone for the winning touchdown with only 9:53 left in the game.
“Coach was saying all week long that we got to make plays and this is our chance and I took that opportunity and made the best play,” Scott said. “My hat goes off to Morgan but tonight the better team won.”
Usually accurate, Schaefer played erratic for much of the game, and completed only 20-of-40 passes for 213 yards, and balanced out four touchdowns with two interceptions. He now has a touchdown pass in 22 of 23 career games.
In the first half Schaefer connected for two scores with his receivers- from 10-yards out with Dayron Arnold and 3-yards out with Demetrius Harrison ? staking the Tigers to a 14-3 lead.
The Bears could only muster a 32-yard John Skeete field goal before quarterback Mario Melton, who finished 10-for-27 with 130 yards, one touchdown and one interception, hooked up with receiver Robert Surrat from 9-yards out to make the score 14-10 just 5 seconds before intermission.
“It?s great seeing the progress we made with our passing game and how we made it a game tonight. Last year it was a straight blow out and this year they see the new Morgan and know we aren?t anything to play with,” running back Chad Simpson said.
Towson appeared to take control of the game when Schaefer found receiver Casey Cegles from 22-yards out for a 21-13 after a 27-yard Morgan State field goal. But the Bears responded early in the fourth quarter when Simpson ? who ran for 195 yards and a touchdown ? burst free down the far sideline to cut the lead to 21-19.
The following two point conversion failed, but on Towson?s next possession a bad snap sailed over Schaefer?s head and into the end zone where he dove on the ball for a safety, making the score 21-21.
Morgan State received the free-kick following the safety and marched all the way to Towson?s 31-yard line, setting the stage for Scott?s heroics.
Morgan State last beat Towson in 2003, 19-16. The Tigers lead the all-time series 15-5.
“They had the whole momentum going their side, driving the ball, mixing the run with the pass and Kenny Scott made a great play on the ball,” Towson coach Gordy Combs said. “Their bench was dead after that.”
