MSU Offense gets win at Blue-Orange Spring Game

BALTIMORE, Maryland  --  The Bears' offense pulled away with an 88-60 win over the defense in Morgan State's annual Blue-Orange spring football game Saturday at sunny Hughes Stadium. The game marked the conclusion of spring practice for Morgan State's first year head coach Lee Hull. The Bears will open the 2014 season on August 30 at Eastern Michigan.

There were plenty of noteworthy items from Saturday's intrasquad game, which used a scoring system that awarded points for big plays other than scoring plays.
 
Coach Hull seemed pleased with the outcome.

"Spring practice has been going great, I think the guys were really into it," said Hull. "They wanted a change and they like the new direction we're going in. It's been pretty fun and I think the guys are enjoying it."

Robert Council scored on a four-yard QB-keeper in the second quarter, and Chris Clack hooked up with Landen Malbrough for a 6-yard touchdown pass to end all scoring during a little over 2 hours of action.

Placekicker Chris Moller was automatic on special teams by converting all four of his field goal attempts.

Quarterbacks Robert Council and Moses Skillon led the passing game.

"I think our quarterbacks played pretty well," said Hull. "It's a new system and we throw the ball a little more than they have done in the past, so I think they did pretty well."

"They still have a lot to learn about anticipating throws, having a clock in their head, and when to take off and run. But I thought they had a pretty good command of the offense."

There were several other highlights during the day:

+ Moses Skillon dropped back and completed a pass to Eme Akonawe who raced down the middle of the field for a 40-yard gain

+ Lamont Brown III had several solid runs, including a run in which he spun off a hit by linebacker Gregory Gibson and picked up 15 yards

+ Herb Walker II had an 18-yard run

+ Jamil Wilson broke runs of 32 and 24 yards

+ Tracy Martin had a 15-yard run

Linebackers Taquon Jackson and Cody Acker, along with safety Peterson Janvier, led the Bears defense. The defense recorded a couple of sacks and also forced a turnover when Eric Alvis intercepted Maurice Lowery and returned it 16 yards.

A few Bears did not play. Quarterback Seth Higgins, sat out spring workouts after surgery on his (right) throwing shoulder. Tight end Willie Gillus (ankle), defensive end Heleiance Gates (foot), defensive tackle Micale Smith-Murray (knee) and safety Paul Eatman (leg) also missed the

In addition to touchdowns and field goals, points are awarded on offense for explosive plays, while the defenders gain points for sacks, tackles for loss, three and outs, and turnovers.
game.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS