Morgan State?s football players are quick to point out they scored 47 points in a dominating, season-opening victory over Savannah State. But Bears coach Donald Hill-Eley is concentrating on another number: 149.
Hill-Eley?s number represents the yards accumulated from the 13 penalties it committed in the 47-7 win. But as impressive as the Bears were against Savannah State, Hill-Eley said his team will have to play much better to defeat Towson, one of the best teams in the Football Championship Subdivision. Morgan State hosts Towson (1-0) Saturday at 4 p.m. at Hughes Stadium after Towson pummeled the Bears, 30-2, at Johnny Unitas Stadium last season.
“Too many penalties. We?ve got to clean that up,” Hill-Eley said. “There were a lot of mistakes just timing-wise like offsides and holding and first game blunders. The biggest improvement came between the first and second games. This was a game we should have won and I told the team that this week and now we have to get ready for [Towson]. It?s going pretty good right now but it can be a whole lot better.”
But overall, Hill-Eley mainly praised his team, which outgained Savannah in total offense, 345-140 yards, including a 233-29 advantage on the ground. The Bears also received big plays from theirdefense and special teams including a 23-yard interception return for a touchdown by linebacker Bryan Wilson.
“It was great to finally line up against somebody besides your own teammate,” Wilson said. “It?s all about fixing the small mistakes. We have a goal of winning the [Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference] championship and championship teams don?t make small mistakes like that.”
Towson opened its season with a sluggish performance in a 20-10 victory over visiting Central Connecticut State on Thursday.
Hill-Eley said for his team to beat Towson for the first time since 2003, Morgan needs another big game from running back Chad Simpson, who had 142 yards and three touchdowns against Savannah. Hill-Eley said if the Bears aren?t able to throw the ball effectively and allow Towson to crowd the line of scrimmage to stop Simpson, they could find themselves on the wrong end of a blowout, just like last season.
“Our passing game is improved,” Simpson said. “All we need is a passing game and an offensive identity. That makes the game easier and takes pressure off my back.”
MORGAN-TOWSON NOTES
» Towson leads the all-time series 14-5 that includes two straight wins over Morgan.
» Morgan State won the first game between the two schools, 34-7, in 1979.
»Towson?s season-opening 30-2 win over Morgan State last year was the Bears? worst loss in a season-opener since falling to Delaware, 35-0, in 1985.
