The Morgan State Bears won their first season opener in years last weekend with a close win against Division II opponent Bowie State. Unfortunately for the Bears, they had to follow up with a first-ever faceoff against Division I’s University of Maryland on Sept. 11.
Maryland displayed their superior talent routing Morgan State 62-3.
“They were just a much better team than us today, bottom line,” MSU coach Donald Hill-Eley said after the game. “When they were able to get out and make their plays, we fell behind. We just have to learn to play faster, play a lot harder, and make our plays.”
Maryland built a 45-0 halftime lead, and quarterback Jamarr Robinson completed 6-of-14 passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns before being replaced in the second quarter by backup Danny O’Brien. O’Brien tossed three more touchdowns in only four passing attempts to build the massive first-half lead.
Maryland’s second and third-string reserves finished the game and still managed to keep MSU out of the end zone. Morgan quarterback Donovan Dickerson turned in perhaps his worst performance, as the sophomore completed just 7 of 28 passes for 48 yards with two passes intercepted.
One of Dickerson’s passes was picked off and returned by Demetrius Hartsfield for the first touchdown of the second period. MSU didn’t pick up a first down until the end of the first quarter and then only after a Maryland personal foul penalty.
“During the first half I put it all on myself,” Dickerson said. “I think I came out a little bit too jittery and it took me a minute to calm down. But once I finally relaxed, it seemed like they (Maryland) were bringing even more pressure, so I just tried to do my best.”
Fortunately, Morgan State was able to avoid the shut out with a 39-yard field goal by last week’s MEAC Specialist of Week Kemar Scarlett.
“My hat goes off to Maryland,” Hill-Eley said, “They made their plays and they played with a lot of enthusiasm. We will learn from the loss and we’re going to stick together as a team.”
Morgan State will see its next action on Sept. 18 when they travel to Fargo, N.D. to take on the North Dakota State Bison.
