Redemption: Bozeman back in the Dance with Morgan State

Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman is back in the NCAA tournament after a 13-year absence after he was dismissed at California for NCAA violations. "I wanted to show I could do it again and I could do it right and it really was an aberration," he says. "It was a decision I made that was costly, and I use it with my children, with my players. There are consequences for your actions, and you have to think carefully before you do things.

VIEW FREE --MORGAN ST. VS. OU GAME LIVE @ 9:55 ET ON CBS: http://mmod.ncaa.com/

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Todd Bozeman still aches. Once one of college basketball's most promising young coaches, then an admitted cheat, he has spent more than a decade in recovery. Three years ago, he found work again at Morgan State. Today, in his first NCAA tournament game since 1996, Bozeman and the Bears will try to engineer a first-round upset of No. 2-seeded Oklahoma. "To me," he says, "it begins and ends with the fact that I'm coaching. All the other stuff is gravy."

The sins of his past were egregious, however. Bozeman, then at California, doled out cash to a coveted recruit even as the school and the NCAA were finishing up an earlier case involving secondary violations by the program. Perhaps justly, his healing can never be complete. Bozeman was exiled by the NCAA for eight years and untouchable — all but unhirable —- for awhile after that. His father remained his staunchest ally, preaching patience, assuring his son that everyone makes mistakes and new opportunities inevitably arrive. But less than four months before one finally did at Morgan State, Ira Bozeman was diagnosed with lung cancer. A month later, he died at 67.

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Totally Unbelievable! Morgan State and Coach Todd Bozeman articles are dominating the newspapers and Internet today---from USA Today, New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, Baltimore Sun....147 articles... Coach Bozeman and Morgan State is hot, hot, hot!!! GO BEARS!!!

Morgan State Preview & Thoughts On The Tournament

Excerpt:

Tournament Brackets

What: First Round NCAA Tournament Game
Who: Oklahoma (27-5, Big 12) vs. Morgan State (23-11, MEAC)
Where: Kansas City, Missouri
When: Thursday, March 19th at 8:40PM CT

Morgan State Starters
G Jermaine Bolden (#3) 5'9" 175 Senior
G Rogers Barnes (#21) 6'2" 190 Senior
G Reggie Holmes (#11) 6'4" 180 Junior
G/F Marquise Kately (#32) 6'5" 220 Senior
F/C Kevin Thompson (#33) 6'8" 240 Sophomore

Their starters account for about 80% of the minutes on the team, which is about 11% above the Division I average. They have 3 seniors in their starting lineup, and one junior, so their starters will be well seasoned, but their bench players aren't used to playing big minutes, especially in big games. Getting them in foul trouble could help us build a lead quickly.

Keep an eye on Reggie Holmes. He has made more 3-pointers than the rest of the team combined this year. In fact, he has attempted 55 more 3's than 2's (234 to 179) and shoots the 3 at a 37% clip. He is the best free throw shooter on the team (73.5%) and turns the ball over the least. By far, he is the best offensive weapon that they have. Marquise Kately is probably the second best shooter, but he has almost no range. Kevin Thompson shoots an incredibly low percentage for being their post player (43.5%) and can't hit a free throw to save his life (misses about 1 out of every 2). Bolden and Barnes have 3-point shooting ability but don't take as many shots as the other three. Bolden is pretty much a true PG, and seems to be a facilitator.

More good stuff after the jump...

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Morgan State wins MEAC men title

Point guard James "Itchy" Bolden helped scratched a 32-year itch for the Morgan State Bears. Bolden spearheaded the Bears first Mid-Eastern Athletic title on Saturday with an 83-69 victory over upstart Norfolk State at Joel Coliseum. It was the steady play of Bolden, who delivered 18 points, two assists and five rebounds, but more importantly helped break the full-court pressure of the Spartans at key moments.

MSU Coach Todd Bozeman completes the Bears rebuilding journey...three seasons...MEAC Championship... NCAA bid with possible 14 or 15 seed.

Backing Bolden was Reggie Holmes who had 20 points and six rebounds, and Rogers Barnes scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had two assists. Freshman Kevin Thompson came off the bench to score 15 points and grab 11 rebounds. The victory for the Bears gives them an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament as they improved to 23-11 and can look forward to a possible 15th or even maybe a 14th seed in the tournament when the pairings are announced tonight.

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Morgan misstepped by not signing Bozeman to extension

Bears risk losing successful basketball coach

With the Ravens' run deep into the playoffs and Maryland men's basketball program surrounded by flashing lights and blaring alarms these past couple of months, I didn't get to see Morgan State play as much as I'd have liked.

I was able to follow the Bears, though, thanks to the highly entertaining and mostly unpredictable blog maintained by coach Todd Bozeman at toddbozeman.blogspot.com . One minute he's lamenting a loss ("The guys came out with NO energy, NO focus, NO respect for their opponent and NO respect for each other. It was embarrassing for sure!"), the next he's ripping an official ("dude is a clown ... case closed!") and the next he might be talking politics ("One NATION under a groove ... gettin down just 4 the funk of IT! WOW! Barack Obama is the next President of the United States!!!!!").

There is one blog post I've been waiting for, one that is long overdue: Bozeman announcing a new contract that will keep the coach at Morgan State for several years to come. Bozeman hasn't written it, though, because it's not true. In fact, as Morgan State begins play in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament tonight, just three wins away from its first trip to the NCAA Division I tournament, Bozeman has amazingly reached the end of his contract with nothing in place to secure his future at the school.

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Let's get real! Morgan State has no chance re-signing Coach Bozeman. This marriage of convenience is over with the expiration of this contract, as both parties accomplished their goals. Bozeman is back and his name is at the top of the "want list" on every major college with a non-winning Division I program. Unfortunately, the MEAC does not have the collective vision to be a serious basketball conference, nor is there the level of fan support to scale basketball head coaches salaries over $175,000.

What is Norfolk State head men's basketball coach earning? $95,000 annually for three years! FAMU's coach Eugene Harris earns $155,000 per year (4 year contract). FAMU's athletic director earns $175,000 annually. You get the picture.

Dang shame for the MEAC and Morgan State to lose this talented young coach over a few thousand dollars, but you can't spend what you don't have. The days of the Clarence "Big House" Gaines is long over with for young, ambitious black coaches. Money does matter! Bozeman has to take the money and the bigger stage to display his skills and earning power.

Sorry MEAC--30 years from now you will still be small potatoes playing before an arena of empty seats.

-beepbeep

Top-seeded Morgan State crushes FAMU in MEAC

Morgan State used three big offensive runs, a decided edge in rebounding and a solid effort from point guard Jermaine "Itchy" Bolden to race past Florida A&M 71-41 in a quarterfinal-round game of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament at Joel Coliseum last night. The top-seeded Bears opened the game with a 13-2 run, then posted a 15-0 stretch, which started at the end of the first half, to build a 44-22 lead with 16 minutes remaining.

The Bears held a 52-32 rebounding edge and outscored the Rattlers 26-14 in the paint.
Bolden, a 5-9 senior, finished with 12 points, six assists, six rebounds and two steals for Morgan State (21-11). The Rattlers pulled to 46-31 with a 6-0 run, but Morgan State came right back with a 13-0 burst that delivered the knockout blow in the rout. "Basketball is a game of runs, so it's who makes the most, the longest or the last (run)," Coach Todd Bozeman of Morgan State said. "We wanted to continue to keep playing and I kept telling the guys in timeouts, ‘Do not play the score.' We don't play that way; you want to keep playing the game."

The Bears will face the Coppin State-N.C. A&T winner in a semifinal-round game on Friday at 6 p.m. Reggie Holmes, a 6-4 junior and the Bears' leading scorer at 16.5 points per game, had a game-high 18 points and added nine rebounds, while teammate Marquise Kately chipped in with 10 points. Florida A&M, the tournament's No. 8 seed, finished the season 10-21, and had no players in double-figures scoring. The Rattlers shot a dismal 24.5 percent from the field and made only 12 field goals.

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Photo Gallery: Bears/Rattler Shots
Boxscore

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Morgan State Announces 2009 Football Signees

MSU Sports Information

BALTIMORE, Md. – Morgan State University head football coach Donald Hill-Eley announced the signing of nine (9) high school and D-I transfers on National Signing Day. Overall, the nine (9) signees included three (3) linebackers, two (2) defensive backs, one (1) offensive lineman, one (1) wide receivers, one (1) running back and one (1) defensive lineman. The Bears signed seven (7) from high school and two (2) JUCO transfers.

2009 National Letter of Intent Signees

Antonio Brown 6’2 – 290, OL
Dunbar HS - Baltimore, Md.
…50 pancakes…78 tackles…7 sacks…anchored a line that won three State Championships…cleared the way for the state's premiere rusher and scorer in West Virginia-bound Tavon Austin…First Team All-State…First Team All-Metro…First Team All-Digital Sport…Black National Football Scholar of the Year.

Anthony Elliott 5’11 – 180, WR
Friendship Edison HS – Washington, D.C.
…44 receptions…785 yards…11 TDs…5 INTs…Two defensive TDs…4 TD Returns…First team All-Washington Post Independent League…Washington DC All-City Bowl.

Collin Bing 5’11 – 170, RB
Glenn Hills HS – Hephzibah, Ga.
…80 carries…700 yards…20 receptions…325 rec. yards…10 TDs…50 tackles…5 interceptions…3 forced fumbles…Second team All-Area…Three time Offensive MVP.

Zachary Harper 6’3 – 210, LB
Gwynn Park HS – Brandywine, Md.
…90 tackles…11 tackles for loss…16 sacks…4 interceptions…TD…First Team All-Prince George’s County…2009 Crab Bowl…All-Metro…All-State.

Brian Saunders 6’1 – 225, LB
Northern Iowa Community College – West Palm Beach, Fla.
…98 tackles…6 sacks…20 tackles for loss…two fumble recoveries…three forced fumbles…First Team All-Region…First Team All-Conference

Lance Simmons 6’1 – 225, LB
Carman Ainsworth HS – Flint, Mich.
…105 tackles…7 sacks…Second Team All-State…Team Defensive MVP…Ainsworth Big Stick Award.

Montique Allen 6’2 – 285, DL
John Marshall HS – Chicago, Ill.
…36 sacks…104 tackles (39 assisted)…10 tackles for loss…Three time All-City…Two time All-Conference…2008 All-State.

Derrick Kinchen 5’11 – 165, DB
Coral Gables HS – Miami, Fla.
…45 tackles…10 pass breakups…3 forced fumbles…First Team All-Miami Dade…Dade County All-Star Team.

Kirkland Davidson 5’9 – 185, DB
Northern Iowa Community College – Highland Park, N.J.
…30 tackles…5 pass breakups…800 return.

Morgan State Routs Bethune-Cookman

Boxscore

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - Reggie Holmes scored 29 points and Kevin Thompson added 16 as Morgan State defeated Bethune-Cookman 78-44 on Monday. Holmes was 6-for-11 from 3-point range and 8-for-16 from the field for Morgan State (9-9, 4-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference). Cold shooting plagued Bethune-Cookman (9-9, 4-2), which had won four of its previous six games. The Wildcats shot only 26.5 percent (13-for-49) for the game, while the Bears shot 51 percent (25-for-49), including 10-for-18 from 3-point territory.

Morgan State never trailed in the game and led 15-12 with 7:30 left in the first half. The Bears used a 19-6 run to take a 34-18 advantage at intermission. Morgan State continued to widen the gap in the second half and led 73-38 with 2:20 left. Tyrel Adams paced the Wildcats with nine points, while Jarrell Thomas and John Holmes scored eight apiece.

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Wasted chances costly for Morgan Bears

Morgan State leading rusher Devan James

Morgan State's dream of capturing a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship ended with last week's loss to South Carolina State, but the Bears still had much at stake in yesterday's season finale against visiting Hampton. The Bears, nonetheless, squandered another huge defensive effort and fell to Hampton, 17-13, despite giving up only 167 total yards. Morgan State blew opportunities to finish with a winning conference record for the first time since 2003 and to have its third winning season in almost 30 years.

"We contribute to our losses. We contribute to our demise," Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley said. "Everything they got, we gave them. We have got to get to the point where players make plays. As a team, after you work all week, you have to look out for each other." Bears running back Devan James, who leads the MEAC with 111.4 rushing yards per game, finished with 112 on 25 carries. Morgan State (6-6, 4-4 MEAC) had 279 total yards and led the time of possession 35:11 to 24:29.

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Attendance: 2,145 at Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, MD

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S.C. State captures MEAC, playoff berth with 32-0 victory over Morgan State

BALTIMORE, MD — Atter a 26-year absence, S.C. State will be returning to the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) playoffs after clinching the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship with a 32-0 win over Morgan State Saturday at Hughes Stadium. The Bulldogs, who last appeared in the playoffs in 1982, earned the league’s automatic berth with the win, which lifted Coach Buddy Pough’s team to a 9-2 mark on the season and a perfect 7-0 in the league, with one game remaining.

“It’s just a great feeling,” said Pough. “Can you imagine being so close for all the six years I’ve been here and we finally got it done.” Backup quarterback DeWain Clark, in his second start in relief of Malcolm Long, directed the victory, which gave Pough his first outright title MEAC title in his seven-year tenure. S.C. State tied Hampton for the title in 2004 but Hampton went to the playoffs by virtue of a win over the Bulldogs that season.

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Attendance: 512 at Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, MD

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No state of complacency: Morgan State Bears

Teams are pressing forward after successful 2007-08 seasons

"Yes, we had success, but last year is last year," said the Bears' Todd Bozeman, 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. "And while I appreciate [the award], it's not going to carry any weight this season." Morgan lost three key players but will bank on returning forward Marquise Kately (13.1 points per game) and guards Reggie Holmes (12.9) and Jermaine "Itchy" Bolden.

Kately, 6-5, is "the consummate team player," Bozeman said. "He rebounds, scores and covers for others on defense. Last year, he was even pressed to play point guard for two games." Morgan also corralled a handful of transfers who should help to put more distance between the Bears and their abysmal 2005-06 record of 4-26.

Though Morgan won the MEAC regular-season crown, it lost the tournament title game to Coppin State on a late basket by the Eagles' Tywain McKee. The Coppin star returns with an iffy supporting cast, but how can the Eagles top last year's wacky season in which they went 16-21 and still reached the play-in game of the NCAA tournament?

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2nd Annual Glenn Wilkes Classic

Daytona Ocean Center, Daytona Beach

The second annual Glenn Wilkes Classic will kick off the 2008/2009 NCAA Men's Basketball season at the Ocean Center, Friday through Sunday, November 21st through 23rd. Teams from Marshall University, Morgan State University, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, University of Utah, University of Mississippi and Rollins College will compete in the three-day event.

Friday, Nov. 21
2:00pm: Marshall University vs. Morgan State University

4:15pm: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay vs. Rollins College
6:30pm: University of Utah vs. University of Mississippi

Saturday, Nov. 22
2:00pm: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay vs. Marshall University
4:15pm: Morgan State University vs. University of Utah

Sunday, Nov. 23
11:00am: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay vs. Morgan State University
4:00pm: Marshall University vs. University of Mississippi

Tickets are on sale at the Ocean Center Box Office from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Monday through Friday, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.TicketMaster.com, or by phone at (407) 839-3900. One-day tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult. Three-day tickets are $25.00 for adults, and $10.00 for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult. Applicable service charges will be applied to all tickets.

Price Info:
1-Day - $10.00 (general), $5.00 (ages 12 & under w/adult); 3-Day - $25.00 (general), $10.00 (ages 12 & under w/adult)

Date & Time Info:
Friday through Sunday, November 21st through 23rd, 2008
See Description for Game Times

Contact Info:
407-839-3900

Location:
Daytona Beach Ocean Center
101 N. Atlantic Ave.
Daytona Beach, FL 32118

For more information about the basketball classic, go to http://www.glennwilkes.classic.com/

NSU defense scores 2 TDs, limits league’s top rusher in win

NORFOLK, VA - Morgan State might have the top-ranked defense in Division I-AA, but Norfolk State’s was better Saturday at Price Stadium. The Bears committed a season-high seven turnovers, and the Spartans dominated in a 35-9 rout. Don Carey, who picked off a pair of passes in front of a handful of NFL scouts in town to watch him, said the NSU defense got ticked off early and remained angry in holding the Bears to their fewest points this fall in a I-AA game.

“Rankings don’t mean a thing,” the Booker T. Washington High School graduate said. “The thing that got me is they tried to come out and jump on our logo. No matter who we’re playing, I’m always going to show respect.” Carey scored off his second pick, zooming 94 yards down the left sideline for the first touchdown of his career. That was NSU’s second defensive TD of the afternoon. Hasan Craig ran back Mario Melton’s fumble two plays before that.

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Attendance: 5,812 (19.4%) at Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, VA (Capacity: 30,000).

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Rattlers show their youth, but also show their future

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Just before leaving Bragg Stadium during the third quarter, Eddie Jackson spoke a few words that he might be repeating a few times this week. Used to be that Jackson had to explain a lot about athletics at FAMU when he was sports information director. Somewhere someone would ask him what happened on FAMU's homecoming. "I think over the next couple years," Jackson said. "you're going to see a great Rattler football team."

Morgan State Bears offensive line could not be stopped by the Rattlers defense--even with the Bears 2nd and 3rd String QBs playing the majority of the second half, spoiling FAMU's Homecoming with a 13-10 victory.

Quite a few folks might have gone home with the same feeling, sir. Watching FAMU play from behind then falling 13-10 wasn't what the 16,205 fans came to see. They sure weren't expecting to see James Meade kick a 39-yard field goal then leave just 12 seconds for FAMU to do something. But it's what they got on a night when the youth of the Rattlers showed. They had their opportunities.

If only they could have stood up.

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Attendance: 16,205 (63.5%) @ Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL (Capacity: 25,500).

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Howard Hands Morgan State A Close Victory

Howard University "Showtime" Marching Band

As usually happens in games between Howard and Morgan State, the outcome came down to the final play. Howard punter Patrick Wolff, filling in for injured place kicker John Mendoza, missed the extra point kick in the second overtime and the Bison lost, 31-30, before a stunned, sellout homecoming crowd at Greene Stadium yesterday. Wolff, who kicked a 21-yard field goal -- the first field goal of his career -- to send the game into overtime, was consoled by several teammates after his extra-point attempt hit the right upright and bounced away.

"Everybody was telling him to shake it off," defensive tackle James Carter said. "You know it wasn't his fault. The game wasn't decided on the one kick." Though Wolff's miss ended the game, the final score was more a product of Morgan State capitalizing on Howard's miscues, missed opportunities and misfortune. The result was strangely reminiscent of the homecoming game two years ago when Morgan State returned a fumble for a touchdown in the second overtime to win, 18-12.

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Attendance: 6853 (68.5%) at Wm. H. Greene Stadium, Washington, D.C. (Capacity: 10,000).
Season Record: Howard Bison, 1-5, 0-3 MEAC; Morgan State, 4-3, 1-1 MEAC.

Rutgers gets much-needed victory; Morgan State gets $300,000

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Consider the $300,000 that the Rutgers football team paid Morgan State for Saturday's 38-0 drubbing a bargain.

Entering the day as one of only two schools from the BCS conferences without a win, the Scarlet Knights needed a victory in the worst way. They got one, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions and cruising by their Football Championship Subdivision foe at Rutgers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

If the win doesn't salve all their wounds from the 0-3 start, it builds confidence for a Rutgers team that begins Big East play at West Virginia next Saturday. Nothing cures a losing streak more than a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference school. Counting Saturday's win, Rutgers has now outscored its MEAC competition, 153-7, over the past three seasons (Howard, Norfolk State and Morgan State).

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Norfolk State didn't learn the lesson the first time, being on the losing end of a 0-59 score. The Spartans loved the exposure so much that they are scheduled for another beat down on Sept. 10, 2010. I guess its raising the profile, when Rutgers can talk about MEAC teams like this.

(beepbeep)

Rutgers football: Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley meets the media

With Morgan State (2-1) set to visit Rutgers on Saturday -- a Championship Subdivision School looking for its first-ever victory over a BCS opponent -- head coach Donald Hill-Eley met with the media on Monday to discuss the game and the prospects of an upset.

Here is what the sixth-year coach had to say:

Q. As fragile as Rutgers' psyche seems to be, is it important for your team to have some early success to have a chance?

Hill-Eley: As with any game, it's important to try to get some success early, moving the ball to get that confidence that we can compete with them.

Q. What type of matchup problems does your quarterback, Carlton Jackson, create with his athleticism and running ability?

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No game here, folks...Rutgers by 55! The only suspense is will Morgan score 3. No need for wishful thinking, the MEAC and SWAC have proven they can't beat an average FCS/1-AA outside the MEAC. This is simply a paycheck game for the Bears. Just pray Hill-Eley makes a better showing than the Norfolk State Spartans that got shellacked 59-0 last season by the Scarlett Knights.

FAMU vs. Tennessee State is on nation-wide TV at 3:00 p.m. and the Rattlers will give the MEAC something to cheer about in this OVC-MEAC rivalry game before a packed house at the Atlanta Football Classic.

Defense lifts Morgan to win in home opener

Still hurting from its season-opening loss at Towson, Morgan State yesterday found the ideal elixir. A good, old-fashioned beat-down. The Bears opened their home schedule at Hughes Stadium by dominating an undermanned and overmatched North Carolina Central team, scoring 35 points off seven turnovers - including three interceptions returned for touchdowns - and recording their most lopsided victory in 22 years in a 49-7 nonconference win.

"The guys put it together and showed up as a team," said Morgan coach Donald Hill-Eley, who looked to exploit the tendency of Eagles quarterback Stradford Brown to throw on the run. "We practiced the scramble drill all week - just staying with our guys rather then leaving their man. It paid off." The victory was the fourth straight in a home opener for Morgan (1-1), which scored its most points since putting up 55 against Savannah State in 2005 and broke a school record with six interceptions.

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Attendance: 5,632 (56%) at Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, MD (Capacity: 10,000).

Morgan State vs. Towson This Saturday!

Morgan State football head coach Donald Hill-Ely will lead the Bears into battle Saturday against the cross-town rivals Towson University. With a 30-37 record, Hill-Ely is the third winningest coach in school history behind legendary coaches Eddie P. Hurt and Earl C. Banks.

College football has officially returned in Baltimore, as the Morgan State Bears will take on the Towson Tigers this Saturday, 6 p.m. at Johnny Unitas Stadium. With just five miles between each school, MSU and Towson hold a recent tradition of playing at least one of their first two games of the season against each other, and this Saturday will mark the 21st matchup between the neighboring rivals.

Last season, quarterback Sean Schaefer completed 20-of-40 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns to help Towson claim their third consecutive win over Morgan, fourth win in the last five years. Towson leads the overall series between the two schools, 15-5. The key for Morgan to break the three-game losing streak will be to contain Schaefer, who completed 29-of-47 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns last week in their 41-13 loss against Navy.

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Bozeman talks Morgan State's 2008 recruiting class

Todd Bozeman has a lot returning from Morgan State’s 2007-08 team.

But he’s also adding several talented newcomers to the Bears -- the reigning regular-season MEAC champions. Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College center Buford Foote, Hagerstown Community College forward John Long, Northeastern (Colo.) Junior College guard Troy Smith and Gwynn Park guard Sean Thomas are the new additions to MSU’s roster. Philadelphia forward Ameer Ali, former Walbrook center Kevin Thompson and ex-St. Frances point guard Desmond Thomas all redshirted for Morgan last season and will be eligible this fall.

Bozeman spoke with Recruiting Report recently about the Bears’ 2008 recruiting class. Give us an overview of your class of newcomers...

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Transfers and Morgan State Bears, Oh my!

BALTIMORE - Morgan State returns 50 of 64 lettermen from a team that went 5-6 last year. But if the Bears want to post their first winning season since 2003 and challenge for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and automatic berth in the 16-team NCAA Tournament, the performances it receives from some of its newest players will be more important.

Bears are MEAC dark horse, but are loaded with experienced talent (Mark's Digital Photography).

Morgan State is expecting to receive an immediate boost from several transfers from Football Bowl Subdivision teams, including redshirt junior quarterback Carlton Jackson (Akron), sophomore receiver Edward Morton-Green (Miami of Ohio) and senior safety Joseph Ellis (Illinois).

“It’s one thing when you don’t know what you have, you try to push [the start of practice] as far back as you can,” Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley said. “But when you know you have some players coming in, and you have a chance, you can’t wait.”

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