The Morgan State Bears (2-5) shocked the Norfolk State Spartans (2-6) in a game that resulted in a score of 32-28 on Saturday, Oct. 28.
The Bears came back from an 18-point deficit, scoring 22 unanswered points with just under 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter–ending the Bears five-game losing streak.
After the Spartans scored a touchdown to go up 18, they kicked the ball off to Bears defensive back Keith Jenkins Jr., who returned the ball 90-yards back for a touchdown to bring the Bears back within 11.
The return was just the beginning of the Bears’ late comeback. But for a moment, it seemed like it was not going to happen at all.
With about 10 minutes left in the game and the ball in the Spartans’ territory, Bears quarterback Carson Baker was sacked by Spartans defensive back R.J. Coles, who fumbled the ball. It was recovered by the Spartans.
Despite this major setback in the fourth quarter, the Bears’ defense took the opportunity back.
Bears linebacker Erick Hunter intercepted the ball and took it to the house for a pick-six, with the Bears capitalizing on a two-point conversion to go down by three with just under seven minutes remaining.
Hunter expressed his feelings about getting his first ever pick-six while playing for the Bears.
“It was a special feeling because I know it was my first one,” Erick said. “First pick, first touchdown. But ultimately I knew we still had work to do because we were still down.”
The defense needed to get one more stop to give their offense a chance to win the game. They delivered, forcing the Spartans to punt the ball away with just under four minutes left.
The offense had replaced Baker with freshman quarterback Tahj Smith for the final drive.
Smith completed all three of his passes for 39 yards with zero interceptions and one rushing touchdown that was the game-winner for the Bears.
The Bears running game was led by former Norfolk State running back J.J. Davis, who finished the game with 116 yards off 13 carries.
Davis said he “felt great” about beating his former team.“Wouldn’t want it any other way honestly,” he said. “I said I was going to ruin their Homecoming and we did.”
Richard Reddix, Bears offensive line coach, said that the Bears’ offense was able to adjust because they “stuck with the running game.”
This is the Bears’ first comeback victory after being down by 14 or more points since Nov. 20, 2021 when they defeated Georgetown University 28-21 at home.
“We just kept doing what was working and trusting our guys up front to change the line of scrimmage,” Davis said. “They did [it] all game long.”
With their victory against the Spartans, the Bears have scored their first MEAC win and improved their conference record to 1-1 this season.
Next Saturday, the Bears will play their final home game of the season against Delaware State University at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
