Run defense could be key in Morgan State's conference opener this Saturday

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State’s defense was solid against the run last season, a middle-of-the-road unit that finished 78th nationally after allowing an average of 177.7 yards in 2012. This year’s unit, however, has strayed from that path.

The Bears are surrendering 303.0 rushing yards per game this fall, which ranks 115th among 122 teams in the Football Championship Subdivision. Sixteen of their opponents' 20 touchdowns have been running scores.

“We continue to look at it – from scheme to personnel,” coach Donald Hill-Eley said Tuesday during a conference call. “On defense, you’ve got to tackle. So we’ve got to make our tackles, we’ve got to be in the right place. Going out against those teams that were really good at running the ball, we definitely understand that defense wins championships. So there’s no way that we can pursue one of those if we’re giving up 300 yards on the ground. So we have to be able to stop the run.”

In Army’s 28-12 victory on Aug. 30, the Black Knights rushed for 295 yards, and quarterback Angel Santiago scored three rushing touchdowns. In Liberty’s 38-10 Sept. 14 rout, the Flames had 330 yards on the ground and scored on five runs.

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