Morgan State University’s Bears lost to Towson State University’s Tigers last Saturday 20-10. The Bears look to win their first home game of the season as they play the University at Albany Great Danes Saturday.
Saturday’s game will mark the fourth game of the season and be a turning point for either team, as both teams have lost their last two games and bear a 1-2 record. The Bears and Great Danes have faced each other three times before and each time the Great Danes won. Overall, the Great Danes have outscored the Bears’ 97-41.
“We have to play sound football on all three phases, we have to protect the ball offensively,” said Damon Wilson, Morgan’s head football coach. “We have to play physical football, and offensively we have to score the ball in the red zone, and not turn the ball over.”
Heading into this match, the Bears average 16.0 points per game while the Great Danes average 23.6 points per game.
Offensively, the Bears often falter on critical third down conversions and have converted only 14 of 46 attempts this season. However, when the Bears got into the red zone and scored, they capitalized on point after touchdown (PAT) attempts this season and are a perfect 6 for 6.
Wilson said he is aware of the improvements the Bears have to make to defeat the Great Danes.
Defensively, the Bears haven’t allowed their opponents to score any points scored in the second half so far this season.
Jordan Toles, senior defensive back and Baltimore native, was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 11, and MEAC Specialist of the Week on Sept. 18. Last Saturday, Toles blocked and returned a field goal for 53 yards and a touchdown during the game against the Towson Tigers. Dexter Carr Jr., senior offensive lineman, was also named MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 18.
Toles said he understands that the defense has to remain hot during the whole game. He said the Bears should shut out teams the entire game and not just in the second half.
“A lot of teams have been keying on our tempo. They are trying to hit us with tempo offense and trying to get us off balance and not set within our scheme,” said Toles. “I feel once we get our cleats in the ground faster and gain better communication on the flow, we will be good.”
The Bears played three quarterbacks during last week’s game, none of whom have played an entire game this season.
Wilson said Sophomore Dominique Anthony will be starting quarterback this Saturday. In his last game against the Tigers, Anthony completed 6 out of 12 passes with 58 passing yards.
Anthony said he feels good about Saturday’s game and looks to end the offense’s struggles.
“We are still trying to find our identity as an offense and we’re working each and every day to find that out,” Anthony said.
Wilson said he believes in his team and feels confident heading into Saturday. “We just got to keep working,” said Wilson. “It’s still really early in the season.”
The Bears are scheduled to play the Great Danes at Hughes Memorial Stadium Saturday at 6 p.m.
