By, Taylor Gardner with SGJC Student News Network
After a brutal loss in their first game of the season, the Morgan State Bears came to Towson ready for war and eager to redeem themselves from the massacre last week.
The Bears were able to take the lead early in the first quarter after a touchdown with 11 minutes left. Both defenses came out the gate strong, but Morgan showed a little more heart, holding the Tigers to only a field late in the first.
At the start of the second quarter, the Bears were up 7-3, and looking to expand their lead in hopes of not only their first road win, but their first win of the season.
The beginning of the second quarter started off scoreless, hence both defenses still playing strong on the opposite side of the ball. It wasn’t until mid-second quarter when Bears’ quarterback, Carson Baker’s pass is tipped and intercepted by Tigers’ linebacker, Mason Woods.
Towson took possession at their own 49-yard line and took momentum of the game when a few plays later, quarterback Rishon Holmes threw a beamer to receiver, Isaiah Perkins, for a touchdown.
Now down 10-7, Morgan was able to move the ball up field including the help of the roughing the passer call against the Tiger’s defense, adding on a free 15 yards to their drive. Following the penalty call, Baker finds Bears’ receiver, Avery Jones, for a 31-yard touchdown pass, claiming the lead 14-10.
In the Tigers’ attempt to answer back with a touchdown, the Bears’ defense was able to hold them to a field goal with 3:49 left in the half and still in the lead 14-13.
Towson started the second half with the ball and was able to capitalize on Morgan’s last score before the half, after a touchdown pass with 9:29 left in the quarter, taking the lead 20-14.
Shortly after the Bears’ regained possession, Baker finds running back, Alfonso Graham, for a touchdown, reclaiming the lead 21-20.
Late in the third quarter, Holmes throws a touchdown pass, putting the Tigers back in front 26-21, with 1:01 left in the quarter. They also attempted to go for the two-point conversion, but Morgan’s defense wasn’t having that.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Towson still had the lead and extended it a little further after a made field goal with 6:31 left in the game.
After an interception and the hopes of a fast, scoring drive, the Bears found themselves in a 4th and 10 situation to keep the game alive. The drive ended in an incomplete pass, giving Towson the ball back with 1:59 left.
In what we thought was a shootout that would end in Morgan’s favor, turned out to be another loss for the Bears, dropping them to 0-2.
Morgan State has their first home game next Saturday, September 17, against Sacred Heart at Hughes Stadium starting at 12pm.