Morgan State Capitalizes on Howard Mistakes in Win
East Rutherford, NJ—September 25---Howard limited Morgan State to only 64 yards of total offense, but the Bears made the most of Bison mistakes on offense to win, 20-3 in the New York Urban League Football Classic at the new Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands before 34,167.
Morgan State (2-2 overall, 1-0 in the MEAC) got on top early when the Bears field goal kicker, Kemar Scarlett nailed a 45-yard field goal after getting good field position. The field goal was Scarlett's 9th of the year in 11 attempts.
Neither team was able to generate much offense through most of the game, but the Bears created another scoring opportunity following a Bison fumble deep in Howard territory. The Bears were able to get their first touchdown of the season when Donovan Dickerson connected with Chuka Okakpu from 16 yards out to up the margin to 10-0 early in the second quarter.
Morgan State was able to pad its lead when Reshaude Miller returned a Howard pass 89 yards for touchdown with 4:03 left in the second quarter.
The Bison took advantage of a Morgan State miscue following an interception return by Lanny Kelly. Howard was not able to get the ball in the end zone and had to settle for 40-yard field goal by Parker Munoz just before the half. It was the first of his career.
In the second half, it was a game of defensive dominance as each team made plays that resulted in losses. Morgan State closed out the scoring with a 46-yard field goal by Scarlett early on the third period.
The loss overshadowed a fine performance on offense by Charles Brice, who rushed for a career-high 96 yards on 13 carries. On defense, Keith Pough and Sackie Kerkulah each had perhaps the best games of their careers. Pough, red-shirt sophomore linebacker from Orangeburg, SC, was all over the field, collecting 7 solos, 3 assists, 3.5 tackles for losses and a sack. Kerkulah, a red-shirt junior defensive end from Willingboro, NJ , finished with 4 solos, 6 assists, 3.0 tackles for losses and a sack.
NEXT UP: Morgan State hosts Bethune-Cookman at 4 pm next Saturday at Hughes Stadium while the Bison will be looking for their first win when they host Lincoln University at 1 pm in Greene Stadium.