The Morgan State Bears (1-8) defeated the Delaware State Hornets (4-5) 20-14 on Thursday night in Hughes Stadium.

“What got us over the hump this week… is understanding how to just dig deep and not think that things are going to happen,” said head coach Tyrone Wheatley.  “You have to go out there and make things happen.”

For the first time this season, Morgan never trailed in the game.

With 11:29 remaining in the first quarter, Morgan quarterback Neil Boudreau completed a 72-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Thomas Marcus to cap off a four play, 86-yard drive.

Morgan kicker Kluivert Akubuo missed the extra point, so the team’s lead stayed at 6-0.

The Bears only needed one play on their second drive to get a touchdown as running back Alfonzo Graham scored a 70-yard touchdown run with 9:51 remaining in the first quarter.

Akubuo’s successful extra point gave the team a 13-0 lead.

The Bears would score one more touchdown in the third quarter on a 21-yard run by running back Romello Kimbrough and it was enough to win the game as they ultimately beat the Hornets 20-14.

The Bears are back in action on Nov. 13 for an away game against the University at Albany.

Here are the top five takeaways from the Bears’ win against the Hornets.

Big plays helped Morgan win game

Two of Morgan’s three touchdowns were over 70 yards.

Marcus’ and Graham’s touchdowns accounted for 142 of Morgan’s 378 total yards of offense.

Marcus’ touchdown reception was his only catch of the night.

Graham had nine rushing yards on four carries excluding his long touchdown run.

Wheatley believes his team’s increased focus led to the long touchdown plays.

“When the players focus in and just do what they’re supposed to do no matter how mundane, how simple it is, it just happens,” Wheatley said.

Morgan’s offensive line prevented any sacks from

Coming into the game, the Hornets had a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)-leading 22 sacks.

On Thursday night, the Hornets did not complete a single sack.

“This was the one week that these guys really honed in and took film sessions seriously,” Wheatley said. “I think the short week kind of put them in a sense of urgency.”

Junior Delaware State wide receiver Jerrish Halsey dropped a potential game-winning catch

With 3:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, Halsey ran past Morgan cornerback Jaeveyon Morton but then dropped a wide-open pass that would have given Hornets quarterback Jared Lewis a 63-yard touchdown.

Had Halsey scored a touchdown and Hornets kicker Matt Noll made the extra point, DSU would have had a 21-20 lead with just over three minutes left in the game.

Tyrone Wheatley remains undefeated against Delaware State

Wheatley has faced the Hornets twice during his three years at Morgan and has never lost to the team.

On Oct. 12, 2019, his team defeated the Hornets 34-3.

Morgan struggled to convert on third down

Although Morgan ultimately won the game, they completed 15 first downs compared to DSU’s 18.

The Bears completed only 1 out of 9 (11.1 percent) third down conversions in the game.