Morgan State’s football team (0-3) improved upon their previous two performances this Saturday, but remain winless after being defeated by the Sacred Heart Pioneers (2-1) 21-7 in Fairfield, Conn.

For the first time this season, the Bears led in a game after running back Romello Kimbrough scored a one-yard touchdown run with 11:08 left in the first quarter.

Pioneers’ quarterback Marquez McCray (17-for-26 for 193 yards) responded by scoring a nine-yard touchdown run on the next possession.

Sacred Heart scored two more touchdowns in the game while the Bears were held scoreless.

With one second left in the first half, Pioneers’ wide receiver Rob Dinota caught a six-yard touchdown reception raising his team’s lead to 14-7.

With 4:06 left in the third quarter, Sacred Heart running back Malik Grant capped off a 12 play, 89-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run.

The Bears have a bye next weekend. Their next scheduled game is Saturday, Oct. 2 at noon against Saint Francis University (1-2) in Hughes Stadium.

Here are five takeaways from Saturday’s game.

Morgan kept the running game going

Before Saturday’s game, Morgan only averaged 53.5 rushing yards per game.

Quarterback Jairus Grissom led the team with just 35.

Morgan accumulated 133 rushing yards against Sacred Heart.

Running back Jabriel Johnson had 76 rushing yards on 16 carries.

Morgan’s special teams struggled

Morgan kicker Kluivert Akubuo-Onwuemeka missed two field goals against Sacred Heart.

With 9:36 left in the second quarter, he missed a 43-yard field goal which would have given Morgan a 10-7 lead.

With 6:23 left in the fourth quarter, his 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Punter Neil Boudreau also shanked a punt with just over three minutes left in the first half.

After his punt, Sacred Heart started their drive on their own 49-yard line.

Their nine-play, 51-yard drive concluded with DiNota’s six-yard touchdown reception.

A bounce-back performance by Morgan’s defense 

Entering Saturday, Morgan’s defense allowed 498 yards and 50 points per game.

Against Sacred Heart, they surrendered 348 yards and 21 points.

Defensive lineman Elijah Williams had 11 tackles, 2 tackles for loss (7 yards), and 0.5 sacks.

Linebacker Lawrence Richardson had 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss (7 yards), and 0.5 sacks.

Pioneers’ defensive backs contained Wesley Wolfolk

After having six receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns against Tulane, Wesley Wolfolk only had one six-yard catch against Sacred Heart.

Morgan’s offensive woes continue

After scoring a touchdown on their first possession, Morgan did not get inside the red zone for the rest of the game.

The Bears now average nine points per game in their three losses this season.