Five takeaways from Morgan’s 27-0 shutout loss against Howard

Morgan’s defense struggles in the second half, an offensive struggle to produce points, and more. Here are the top five takeaways from Friday night’s game.

Kelia Briscoe

Morgan is 0-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play after their loss Friday night.

Tariq Turner, Sports Editor

Morgan State’s football team (0-5) lost their first conference game of the season after losing 27-0 to the Howard Bison (2-4) on Friday night.

Howard put on a dominant performance in front of their home crowd by scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half.

Morgan struggled in many facets of the game.

The Bears’ offense only produced 116 total yards of offense compared to Howard’s 474.

Morgan’s defense allowed Howard junior quarterback Quinton Williams to throw for 337 yards.

Morgan’s special teams’ errors also persisted as the team missed two field goals.

Here are five takeaways from the game.

The Bears’ defense struggles in the second half for second consecutive week

Although they ultimately lost the game 27-0, Morgan only trailed Howard by three points at halftime.

The defense surrendered three touchdowns in the second half.

Morgan’s offense continues to struggle

For the second time this season, Morgan was held scoreless in a game.

The Bears are averaging 8.2 points per game this season.

Morgan makes costly blunders

In the first quarter, Morgan junior running back Alfonzo Graham had a 76-yard touchdown run negated by a holding penalty.

On top of that, Morgan quarterback Neil Boudreau (10-for-25 for 70 yards) threw an interception in the game.

Kicker Kluivert Akubuo missed field goals in the first and third quarter.

His 41-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter that would have given Morgan a 3-0 lead was blocked. His 51-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter, which would have cut the deficit to 10-3, was missed and returned by Howard.

Akubuo has now missed all six of his field goal attempts this season.

Morgan’s defensive backs couldn’t contain wide receiver Antoine Murray 

Howard senior wide receiver Antoine Murray caught four passes for 171 yards.

His longest reception of the game was a 97-yard touchdown reception.

Morgan shutout by Howard for the first time in 25 years

Prior to Friday night, Morgan had not lost a game to Howard in a shutout manner in 25 years.

On Nov. 16, 1996, Morgan lost 49-0 to Howard in Greene Stadium in Washington, DC.