Bears Score 35 in Half, Set School Record With Six Interceptions in 49-7 Win Against NCCU
Devan James rushed for 114 yards and touchdown and Morgan State collected a school record six interceptions, three returned for touchdowns, en route to a 49-7 win over North Carolina Central on Saturday.
MSU (1-1, 0-0 MEAC) won their fourth consecutive home-opener and collected their largest victory since a 42-point win against UMES in 1976. The win improved MSU’s record against the Eagles to 21-12-2 and it also marked the first win against the NCCU since their last matchup in 1982.
“The guys put it together and showed up as a team,” said 7th year head coach Donald Hill-Eley. “They minimized the mistakes that they were making, and they played together and with a lot of effort.”
“We were very impressed and we need it to carry over from week to week.”
James accounted for 178 yards against Towson last week, and went into halftime tonight with 115 yards on 14 carries, including the Bears first score of the night on a 6-yard run.
The Bears held a commanding 35-0 lead at halftime thanks to a 28-point explosion in the 2nd quarter. Keith Lee opened up the scoring in the 2nd quarter when he took a handoff and raced 23 yards to the endzone. James Meade’s extra point gave the Bears a 14-0 lead at the 9:09 mark.
On the second play of the Eagles next possession, Jeff Toliver was hit by Danny Evans and fumbled the ball, and MSU’s Troy Leftwich pounced on it at the NCCU 28. Aaron Moore scored on a 28-yard end around (8:18); Carton Jackson connected with Edwin Baptiste for a 13-yard score (:29); and Darren McKhan scored on a 49-yard interception return (:13) to give the Bears a commanding 35-0 lead at the break.
McKhan collected two of the Bears six interceptions as the Bears totaled 165 interception return yards, compared to only 156 passing yards by NCCU.
MSU’s defense held Eagle quarterback Stadford Brown to 12-of-26 passing for 137 yards and five interceptions. The defense also limited NCCU to just 67 yards on 39 carries (1.7/ypc).
The Eagles (0-3) offensive unit was outscored by MSU’s defense 14-7 in the 2nd half. Jarrell Guyton returned an errant throw by Brown for a 22-yard touchdown return in the 3rd quarter.
NCCU finally got on the scoreboard early in the 4th quarter when Brown found a wide open Will Scott for a 22-yard scoring play to end the Bears bid at their first shutout at Hughes Stadium since 2005.
MSU defensive back Rodney Etienne stepped in front of Eagle backup quarterback Keon Williams for a dazzling 60-yard touchdown to cap the game.
MSU’s Carlton Jackson finished the game 7-of-14 for 96 yards a touchdown. Baptiste caught four passes for 29 yards and backup running back Keith Lee had 12 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown.
The Bears racked-up 369 yards of total offense, including 247 yards on the ground. NCCU finished with 223 total yards and was limited to just 67 rushing yards.
MSU’s defense was led by Guyton who amassed nine tackles, two tackles for losses and a sack. Chris Williams had five tackles and a pass breakup, while Clarence McPherson and Fred Davis each had sacks.
MSU continues the non-conference part of its schedule next Saturday when they travel to face Winston-Salem State in search its first win against the Rams.