Saturday, November 17, 2018

Golatt Accounts for 4 TDs to lead Bears over Norfolk State, 44-27


NORFOLK, Virginia – DJ Golatt Jr. threw three touchdowns, and ran for a touchdown and the Bears dominated Norfolk State 44-27 on Saturday in their season finale. Morgan State wrapped the season with back to back wins and will head into the offseason on a high note.

Golatt, a redshirt freshman, has thrown three touchdown passes in each of his last two games. He was 17 of 23 for 168 yards and had one pass intercepted. He also ran for 156 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.

With the win, the Bears also posted its first win against the Spartans since a 29-20 win during Norfolk State's Homecoming on Nov. 4, 2006.

Norfolk State leads the all-time series record at 20-11 since 1965.

The Bears looked as efficient as they have all season. The offense struggled most of the season, but DJ Golatt had the offense rolling.

Morgan State (4-7, 3-4 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) moved the ball right down the field on the opening drive with a good mix of running and passing to drive deep into Spartans territory. Golatt connected with senior wideout Manasseh Bailey on a post play for a 10-yard touchdown. The extra point by senior Alex Raya gave the Bears an early 7-0 lead with 9:31 in the first quarter.

The Spartans (4-6, 2-5) wasted little time in responding. It only took three plays before sophomore quarterback Juwan Carter, the reigning MEAC Offensive Player of the Week, hooked up with speedy wideout Marcus Taylor down the seam for a 71-yard score. Josh Nardon's point after attempt sailed wide left. The Bears led 7-6 with 8:32 left in first quarter.

The Bears were back on the move on the ensuing drive. Alex Raya capped an 11-play 43-yard drive by connected on a 39-yard field goal to extend to a 10-6 lead to end first quarter scoring.

The Bears ground game was on full display throughout the day, especially on the QB keeper plays. Golatt had 93 yards on 13 carries in the first half.

Sophomore running back David Adeleke rambled for a season-high 66 yards on 15 carries. Freshman Jalen Jackson had three carries for 63 yards, most notably an explosive 50-yard touchdown run that gave the Bears a 44-19 lead late in the fourth quarter.

Carter was picked off by redshirt junior Dominick Trigg who returned it 57 yards for a touchdown to help give the Bears a 17-6 lead with 11:39 left to go in the half. It was Trigg's third interception of the season, and the team's league leading 14th pick of the season.

The Spartans put in backup quarterback D'Andre Thomas, but just two plays into the drive he was pounded by hard-hitting redshirt junior Rico Kennedy. As a result, Thomas was assisted off the field favoring his shoulder. Carter was brought back in to handle the signal calling duties for the rest of the contest.

A big third down conversion on a 14-yard pass to freshman tight end Xavier Gravette helped setup a 10-yard TD run by Golatt (2:04). MSU went into the halftime break with a 24-6 lead.

The Bears continued to light up the scoreboard in the second half. Golatt tossed a TD pass to a wide open Gravette to increase the cushion to 30-6 with 10:05 left in the third quarter. He also Golatt tossed a jump pass for a touchdown to Gravette to extend to a 38-12 lead.

The Spartans had most of their offensive success come long after the Bears starting defensive unit was pulled in order to give the reserves some game experience.

 BOX SCORE
ATTENDANCE: 3,437

When it was done, both teams combined for over 1,000 yards of offense. Morgan State finished with 504 total yards, and the Bears' aggressive offensive line (aka. The Trench Mob) helped pave the way for a season-high 333 yards on the ground.

It was the largest margin of victory against the Spartans since posting a 58-28 win in Norfolk in 2004.

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY BEARS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
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