With the game clock at 30 seconds remaining one knee was all it took for Morgan State to beat Lincoln University 41-0 this past homecoming Saturday Oct. 5.
The crowd of alumni, supporters, and students drew an attendance of well over 7,000 according to ESPN as those in attendance celebrated the festivities of Morgan’s 157th homecoming.
Senior running back Myles Miree expressed the importance of their homecoming game win.
“We haven’t had a homecoming game win in 2-3 years so it feels good…to get a win in a good environment it’s a great feeling for Morgan State.” said Miree.
Senior wide receiver Andre Crawley had the best game statistically of his Morgan career catching 6 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. Crawley also threw his first pass for a touchdown late in the second quarter as well.
Crawley said, “It feels amazing, my first (Homecoming) win in four years, I just thank God it’s a blessing honestly to be out here.”
The Bears began the scoring charge early in the opening quarter with a 79-yard touchdown pass as redshirt junior quarterback Duce Taylor found Crawley on the left sideline allowing him to take it the distance.
Taylor had his best game statistically as a Bear going 15-17, with 197 yards passing and a touchdown.
“Just make the right play everytime, play quarterback throughout the whole game because at the end of the day being a quarterback is a lifestyle,” said Taylor.
Morgan shut the Lions out with University President David Wilson alongside special guest, Maryland Governor Wes Moore in attendance.
Senior running back Myles Miree, who led the team in rushing yards with 51 yards also had two touchdowns on the day.
“Going into the week we knew they had a good defense,” said Miree. “We just wanted to execute in all phases and get downhill.”
The offense remained in control, scoring on their opening drive of the second quarter by way of a 25-yard run from graduate senior running back J.J. Davis.
The Bears went deep in their bag of tricks to end the half scoring on a pass for 21 yards from their wide receiver Crawley to senior wide receiver Marquez Phillips for a touchdown, igniting the packed audience.
“Actually, for the past couple of weeks we have been practicing a couple of deceptions but we never really actually went through with it, so when they called it, I licked my chops and once the ball was in the air it was over with,” said Phillips.
Sophomore running back Dorian Harris put the exclamation mark on the game with a 1-yard run late in the third quarter making the lead 41-0.
This was also Head Coach Damon Wilson’s 100th career win in his 25-year coaching career. Wilson would receive the game ball from President Wilson after the game.
“It feels great anytime you have an opportunity to play in front of your home crowd, And I thank the alumni for coming out with their support, And I’m happy we put on a pretty good show,” said Wilson.
Senior defensive end Nana Asante said the goal was to influence the game from the defensive side of the ball.
“We wanted to come out and hold them to zero points for the people and our crowd…We just put in the work and watched film, saw what they had, and stopped it,” said Asante.
Asante was constantly disrupting the Lion’s offense, finishing the team leader in sacks (1.5) for the day, tied for the most tackles (6), and blocked a Lincoln field goal attempt early in the first quarter to keep the Bear’s shutout alive.
The Bears have another home game against FCS-Independent opponent Merrimack College Warriors next Saturday, Oct. 12 at 3:00 p.m. at Earl C. Banks Field, during Morgan’s band & community (youth) day festivities.
