PressBox: Bears To Celebrate Homecoming Against Norfolk State

Bears To Celebrate Homecoming Against Norfolk State

By Kevin Heitz

It's homecoming weekend at Morgan State, and the Bears plan to celebrate by playing the role of spoiler. They host 22-ranked and MEAC front-runner Norfolk State at Hughes Stadium.

The Bears (5-4, 4-2 MEAC) were shredded by the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, 49-23, last weekend, while Norfolk State clinched no less than a share of its first-ever MEAC title with a 45-3 shellacking of Savannah State. A win on Saturday would give Morgan a chance to claim a share of the conference title. But, Norfolk State doesn't want to share; a win against the Bears would give the Spartans the conference's automatic berth in the FCS playoffs.

In the win against Savannah State, Spartans quarterback Chris Walley, who ranks second nationally with a 70.3 completion percentage, went 20-for-25 and racked up 343 yards of total offense and five touchdowns. He was named the FCS Co-National Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 271 yards and three touchdowns, and rushing for 72 yards and two more scores.

Somehow, that effort was overshadowed by NSU's defense, which allowed a paltry 45 yards of total offense (20 rushing, 25 passing) against the Tigers.

The Bears need much more than 45 yards if they want to keep their conference hopes alive. To do so, they'll need a bounce-back performance from true freshman quarterback Seth Higgins, who threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns, but tossed two interceptions during last week's loss. On the season, the two-time MEAC Rookie of the Week has thrown for 784 yards, with eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

Saturday's game will mark the 24th meeting between Morgan State and Norfolk State, with the Spartans leading the series, 13-10, including winning five of the last six games. The Bears are looking for their first win against NSU since 2007.

Game time at Hughes Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. and there will be a live radio broadcast of the game on WEAA, 88.9 FM.

Posted Nov. 10, 2011