PressBox: Morgan Wraps Season At Hampton

Morgan Wraps Season At Hampton

By Kevin Heitz

Morgan State's 2011 campaign comes to a close Saturday at Hampton, and the Bears (5-5, 4-3 MEAC) do not want to spend the offseason thinking about three straight losses and a losing season.

To avoid a third straight loss, Morgan needs its defense to return to midseason form. Last week, Norfolk State rolled over the Bears, 44-17, and the week before, the Bears lost to Bethune-Cookman, 49-23.

Meanwhile, Hampton downed Delaware State, 42-6, last weekend -- and two of the Pirates' touchdowns came from their defense, which recorded six interceptions.

Virginia Tech transfer linebacker Lyndell Gibson was named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week after posting a team-high 13 tackles, including three for a loss of eight yards. He also broke up two passes and grabbed two picks, including a fourth-quarter 43-yard touchdown return.

Freshman quarterback Bradford Hudson (Chesapeake, Va.) has seen his share of time behind center during the latter part of the season for the Pirates, coming in on Nov. 5 against Howard. Getting the start this past Saturday against Delaware State, Hudson went 12-for-23 through the air for 162 yards and two touchdown passes.

Sophomore linebacker Delbert Tyler currently ranks third in the MEAC in tackles (103), while senior defensive back Micah Pellerin tops the conference in passes defended, tallying 14 pass breakups and three interceptions.

The Bears' defense will play its final game with free safety Reshaude Miller. During his senior season, Miller has collected 38 tackles (18 solo) and has posted a team-high seven pass breakups, including an interception. He has 105 career tackles heading into the game.

Morgan leads the all-time series 35-22-2, but Hampton has won 12 of the last 14 meetings between the two teams, including a 21-16 victory in Baltimore last season.

Morgan's Seniors Suit Up For Final Time
Thirteen seniors will be playing their final game Saturday: offensive lineman Lawrence Brewer, running back Jourdan Brooks, defensive end Zary Stewart, defensive tackle Justin Young, wide receiver Winfred Diggs, wide receiver Andre Nelson, Miller, defensive lineman Kevin Myrie, tight end Lamont Bryant, linebacker Justin Thomas, wide receiver Anthony Smooth, linebacker Bertrand Kouassi and wide receiver Yusuf Dosu.

Posted Nov. 17, 2011