The Morgan State Bears’ defensive pressure was too much for the Central State Mauraders’ offense to get comfortable moving the ball down the field behind Kristopher Boyd, keeping pressure on the Mauraders’ quarterback Tison Hill. The Bears’ defense sacked the Mauraders’ quarterbacks 6 times in the game, intercepted them twice, and forced the Mauraders’ quarterback to fumble inside the 10-yard line, giving Morgan State great field position. When Central State’s offense was able to move the ball behind their rushing attack, led by Dai’Vontay Young, they were penalized, which halted any momentum generated.
Morgan State quarterback Kobe Muasau wasted no time getting the offense down the field, throwing a touchdown pass to Tyler Wilkins, scoring the Bears’ first points of the game. The Bears had multiple opportunities to extend their lead, blowing opportunities to convert on fourth down in the red zone. Coach Wilson kept his offense on the field several times on 4th down, hoping to successfully convert when the Bears were in scoring position, to see how his team would respond. For the game, the Bears were 0-4 on fourth down, twice inside the 20-yard line, outlining their offensive struggles that they continue to address. Central State miscues on offense, for the game had 108 yards of total offense with 3 turnovers. The Bears leaned on their rushing attack, with Jason Collins Jr rushing 14 times for 67 yards, 1 touchdown, and Randall Nauden rushing 9 times for 34 yards, 1 touchdown, wearing down the Mauraders’ defense because of the lack of their offensive productivity.
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Dylan Perry intercepted Morgan State Kobe Muassa in the first quarter, giving Central State another opportunity to move the ball down the field, but they were unable to convert the turnover into points. Central State struggles continued with the Marauders’ punter kicking the would-be punt off one of his teammates, which was recovered by Morgan State Joshua Narh and returned for a touchdown.
The Marauders’ questionable offensive game plan begs the question of why they never ran many plays outside the tackles to stretch the Bears’ defense with their running backs’ speed. Central State defense, led by Domonique Davis II, kept pressuring the Bears quarterback and running backs of Morgan State, but the Marauders’ offensive miscues, like Tison Hill throwing an interception after the defense gave their offense, showed they have work to do preparing to play their next opponent. Central State hasn’t scored a point in 3 games. The Marauders’ play Lane College on 9/27 at 1 pm, and Morgan State plays Miles College in the Circle City Classic on 9/27 at 2 pm. Both teams’ Coaching staffs will be evaluating how they can unlock their offensive potential.