Lincoln Lions Football Returns to Action with Game at Division I-FCS Central Connecticut State

Game #2 Lincoln University at Central Connecticut State University

Game Details
Date: Friday, September 7, 2018
Kickoff: 6 pm 
Venue: Arute Stadium, New Britain, Connecticut
The Series:   This is the first meeting between these two teams 

Visiting Team: Lincoln University Lions
Conference:  CIAA
2018 Record: 0-1
Roster
2018 Statistics

Home Team:  Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils
Conference:  NEC
2018 Overall Record: 0-1
Roster
2018 Statistics

Coverage
Live Stream:   http://www.necfrontrow.com/webcast.php/CCSU-5478/ 
Live Stats:   http://ccsubluedevils.com/sports/fball/2018-19/boxscores/20180907_0mfv.xml
 
Admission
tickets can be purchased online at:   https://ccsubluedevils.showare.com/ 
 
Players to Watch:
 
Lincoln:

• Vincent Espinoza (Madera, Calif /Madera (West Hills)) – Quarterback
  • Led team with 70 yards passing (8-19)  and 37 yards rushing in last week's loss to Fayetteville state
• Reginald Mays – Wide receiver
  • Led team with six catches for 52 yards in week one
• Kendall Brooks (Washington, DC ) -  Defensive Back, Returner
  • Had a 46-yard kickoff return in last Saturday's loss to Fayetteville
• Solomon Bassett (Fort Worth, Texas/Boswell) – Defensive Line
  • Had two sacks, and nine tackles (three for loss) in week one

 
Central Connecticut:

• Jacob Dolegala- Quarterback
  • Passed for 117 yards in last week's loss to Ball State…14 completions in 22 attempts
• Aaron Dawson – Running Back
  • Ten rushes for 61 yards and one touchdown in week one
• Tymir Hinton- Rover
  • Co-team leader with eight tackles vs. Ball State
• DJ Exilhomme – Strong Safety
• Co-team leader with eight tackles  vs. Ball State

THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY LIONS SPORTS INFORMATION

West Alabama outlasts Miles Golden Bears

LIVINGSTON, Alabama -- A week after accumulating just 115 yards of total offense, Miles spent the first half against West Alabama moving the ball up and down the field with relative ease.

But a small halftime deficit mushroomed after two quick scores to open the third quarter as the No. 11 Tigers (2-0) pulled away from the Golden Bears (0-2) with a 37-21 win at Tiger Stadium Thursday night. Daniel Smith threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns, both to Leonard Tyree, who had eight catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns - all career highs.

The game started nearly 90 minutes late because of inclement weather and the Golden Bears were playing without starting tailback Justin Hardy, who was injured in last week's loss to Alabama A&M. But the offense showed immediate signs of life once the game started.


COURTESY: UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA ATHLETICS

Miles recovered a muffed punt after its first possession of the game and converted it into a touchdown when Smith connected with Tyree on a 29-yard scoring pass less than three minutes into the game. But UWA came right back, with Christian Saulsberry returning the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was missed and Miles held a 7-6 advantage, which it held at the end of the first quarter.

The teams went back and forth in the second. UWA scored on a 4-yard pass from Harry Satterwhite to Qua Boyd but the Golden Bears answered when Smith and Tyree connected again - this time from 20 yards - as they regained the one-point lead. The Tigers would score once they got the ball back when Satterwhite hit Bayley Blanchard for a 20-yard score to take the lead for good. Miles had a chance to score right before the half but Bradley Hammel missed a 33-yard field goal and Miles went into the half trailing 20-14.

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANCE:

4543

UWA got the ball to start the second half and scored in less than two minutes. Saulsberry got free after a defender slipped and fought his way into the end zone on a 43-yard scoring pass. On the next possession, He got loose for a 38-yard touchdown catch that put the Golden Bears in a deep hole from which they would not escape. Miles did manage a highlight in the fourth quarter when defensive tackle Jaylun Thomas picked up a fumble and rumbled 96 yards for a touchdown to close out the scoring.

Santee Marshall got his first start and ran for a team-high 45 yards and LeAnthony Robinson added eight catches for 74 yards. Defensively, Austin Stephens had 12 tackles, Rodney Coleman added eight stops and N'Ktavious Floyd finished with six tackles for Miles, which plays next Saturday against Fort Valley State in the Prince Hall Americanism Classic at Sloan-Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.

MILES COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION

Benson Foundation donates $1.5 million to XULA

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has received a $1.5 million gift from the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation. Gayle Benson is the owner of the NFL's New Orleans Saints and the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans. Her late husband, Tom, purchased the Saints in 1985 and the Pelicans in 2012.
     
The Bensons' gift will:
     •  Name the sanctuary of the University's St. Katharine Drexel Chapel the Gayle and Tom Benson Sanctuary.
     •  Establish the Gayle and Tom Benson Scholarship Fund.
     
The sanctuary — the area of the chapel immediately around the altar — was officially named during a Thursday ceremony which included Mass and a reception.
    
 "Tom and I have always tried to give back to the local community and have been committed to investing into our city and region," Gayle Benson said. "This donation will serve as a platform for many generations to prosper at Xavier University of Louisiana and I am proud, humbled and honored to be a part of their continuing success."
     
The funds will provide operational and maintenance for the campus chapel, which opened in 2012. The St. Katharine Drexel Chapel, named for Xavier's founder, serves as a central location where Xavier community members of all faiths celebrate and remember Mother Katharine's deep love of God and belief that through evangelization and education Xavier would train students to become servant leaders in the world.
     
The scholarship fund will provide yearly awards to New Orleans area students up to $5,000 per semester, for a maximum of eight semesters per student. Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of their academic standing and documented financial need.
    
 "Through their generosity, the Bensons are establishing a partnership with Xavier, the only historically Black and Catholic University in America, that allows us to continue our noble mission to help create a just and humane society. With this gift, the Bensons have invested in a brighter future for generations of our students to come," Xavier President Reynold Verret said. "Gayle and Tom Benson are dedicated members of the community who exemplify Xavier's mission and vision of service to the world."
    
 "This commitment to Xavier ensures that our campus remains viable for our students, faculty and staff as we further our mission of forming young men and women who leave ready to lead, serve and care for their communities. We are grateful to the Bensons for their investment," said Xavier Board of Trustees President Sonia Perez.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Gold Nuggets to open fall season at SLU's tournament

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will play the first of three fall tennis tournaments this weekend when its women travel to Hammond, La., for the Green and Gold Invitational.
     
XULA has one of the top NAIA programs of recent years. Both teams were NAIA national semifinalists last season. The women reached the semifinals for the fourth time in six years, and the men got there after national runner-up finishes in 2016 and 2017.
     
The Gold Nuggets return 7-of-8 letterwomen from last season, including NAIA All-Americans Mariia Borodii, Angela Charles-Alfred, Charlene Goreau and Yi Chen Pao. Goreau, a senior from Toulouse, France, is a three-time first-team All-American.
     
Also competing this weekend will be host Southeastern Louisiana, city rival Loyola, Jackson State and LSU-Alexandria. Matches will be played at Southeastern Tennis Complex. The event will consist of modified duals — four singles matches and one doubles match — but will count only for individual season statistics. Intercollegiate Tennis Association rules require dual matches to consist of six singles matches and three doubles matches.
     
Both XULA teams will compete Sept. 20-22 in the HBCU National Championships at Orlando, Fla., and Oct. 12-14 in the XULA Invitational on their campus.
     
Alan Green, a three-time ITA national coach of the year, returns for his 16th season to lead the Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush.
Green and Gold Invitational
Saturday, Sept. 8
8:30 a.m. — Southeastern Louisiana vs. LSU-Alexandria
10 a.m. — Loyola (N.O.) vs. XULA
11:30 a.m. — LSU-Alexandria vs. Jackson State
1:30 p.m. — Southeastern Louisiana vs. Loyola (N.O.)
3 p.m. — Southeastern Louisiana vs. XULA
4:30 p.m. — Jackson State vs. XULA

Sunday, Sept. 9
8:30 a.m. — LSU-Alexandria vs. Loyola (N.O.)
10 a.m. — LSU-Alexandria vs. XULA
11:30 a.m. — Loyola (N.O.) vs. Jackson State
1:30 p.m. — Southeastern Louisiana vs. Jackson State

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

UAPB Announces Melvin Hines as New Director of Athletics

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) has named Melvin J. Hines, II as the next director of athletics, Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander announced Wednesday morning in a press conference. Hines has experience in intercollegiate sports at seven Division I institutions, including Auburn University, the University of Louisville, Alabama A&M University, Troy University, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Mississippi. Before coming to UAPB, Hines was Athletics Director at Alabama State University.

"Our process of selecting an athletics director involved a long list of candidates and several interview sessions with four finalists, all of whom were exceptional." said Alexander. "Our choice of Mr. Hines is the right one for UAPB. He has a proven record of success in building winning programs, a commitment to high achievement, and the desire to see our student-athletes excel both on and off the fields and courts. Hines also brings a strategic vision to propel UAPB athletics to greater heights."

At the announcement, Alexander thanked the 13-member search committee, comprised of UAPB cabinet members, faculty, staff, a member of the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees, Pine Bluff business and community leaders, and the president of the national alumni association and the search consulting Myers McRae.

Hines will officially begin as UAPB's director of athletics Sept. 10.

While at Alabama State, Hines guided the athletics program through its most successful seasons, with four straight SWAC Commissioner's Cup awards, and the women's teams combined to win their fifth straight all-sports award in 2017. Alabama State teams also combined to win 10 SWAC divisional, league or tournament crowns during the 2016-2017 season.

Hines also oversaw improvements to and the construction of multiple facilities at Alabama State, including a new football stadium, and football, baseball and softball complexes. During the 2016-17 academic year, Hines oversaw the improvement of the Academic Progress Rate (APR) which led to all athletic programs finishing above the threshold to avoid penalty for the first time in recent history.

"I am thrilled to join the Golden Lions nation," Hines said. "UAPB already has several factors to help our student-athletes be stellar in competition on game day and in the classroom. I look forward to connecting with our exceptional student-athletes, faculty, coaches and staff on campus, along with our alumni, supporters and the Pine Bluff community."

Hines received his Master of Science in Education with a concentration in sports administration from the University of Louisville and a Bachelor of Science in Adult Education from Auburn University. Hines began his career in intercollegiate athletics as an assistant football coach at Alabama A&M University and has held positions such as Associate Director of the Office of Student Athlete Academic Support at Ole Miss where he assisted in developing and implementing policies and procedures related to academic support and success of student-athletes. As a student-athlete at Auburn University, Hines was a member of two SEC championships.

About the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is an 1890 Land-Grant HBCU with a diverse student population, competitive degree offerings and stellar faculty. For more than 140 years, UAPB has worked to create an environment that inculcates learning, growth and productivity while affording a basic need to its students – a chance to advance. UAPB offers Certificate and Associates degree programs, more than thirty Undergraduate programs, Master's degree programs and a Doctorate program in Aquaculture/Fisheries. Students are active in more than 100 organizations, an internationally renowned Vesper Choir, Marching Band, Concert Bands, Wind Symphony, nationally recognized debate team, award-winning theater department and accomplished athletic program.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Despite Quick Start, Lincoln Blue Tigers Fall to Missouri State

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri  -- The Lincoln football team jumped out to a 10-0 start and led after the first quarter, but Missouri State, an NCAA Division I opponent, rallied to hand the Blue Tigers a 52-24 loss on Thursday (Sept. 6).

The Lincoln (1-1) defense forced Missouri State (1-1) to fumble the opening kickoff, then capitalized as Fernando Ramirez made a 34-yard field goal to give LU the lead less than three minutes into the ballgame. The Blue Tigers forced two more turnovers in the opening period, with Edwin Durassaint scooping the second up for a 78-yard fumble return touchdown.

Photo Gallery: Lincoln at Missouri State

Missouri State responded with a quick scoring drive to pull within three, and LU took a 10-7 lead into the second quarter. The Bears dominated that period, scoring four touchdowns to take a 35-10 advantage into the half.

Lincoln struck first in third quarter, as Henry Ogala found Antonio Issac for a 15-yard scoring strike at the 12:54 mark, and the Blue Tigers later scored the final points of the ballgame late in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard grab by Justin Korakakos in the back corner of the end zone. Missouri State out-gained Lincoln, 507-264, for the game, however, and recorded seven sacks in the contest.

BOX SCORE

Ogala capped off an efficient performance with 16 completions in 21 attempts and two touchdowns with no interceptions. A'Jani Johnson led the receiving corps with five grabs for 70 yards, and Blake Tibbs added 63 yards on four receptions, including a 46-yard catch-and-run to set up Lincoln's second touchdown. Hosea Franklin led the rushing attack with 79 yards on 16 carries, a 4.9 average.

Hasan Muhammad-Rogers and Chavon Gross tied for the team lead with six tackles apiece, and Victor Williams had five while Isaiah Gray and Garen McKinney each tallied four. Gray, Joseph Madrigal and Quan Mason each made tackles for loss, with Mason additionally posting a sack. 

Wolky Belancourt averaged 40.4 yards on five punts, and Donovan Wright was LU's top returner with 106 total yards. Fernando Ramirez, meanwhile, averaged 49.0 yards on four kickoffs. Lincoln controlled the clock with a possession time of 38:30 and converted on all three of its opportunities inside the red zone.

The Blue Tigers will play at home for the first time in 2018 on Saturday, Sept. 15 as Lincoln hosts Wisconsin-Oshkosh for a 1:00 p.m. CDT contest. It's Lincoln's annual Take a Kid to the Game Day, with all children receiving free admission.

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

The Chattabox Show: Texas Southern Fighting Tiger Football Show - Week 2

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This Is Game Week: Morgan State vs. Akron

 Morgan State Notes  |     Akron Notes (PDF) |    MEAC Notes (PDF) |  MAC Notes (PDF)   Purchase Tickets |

 MEAC Teleconference Audio  |     GAMEDAYGuide   
 Facebook.com/MorganStateBears   |    @MorganStBears

GAME TIME
Morgan State will face Akron on the road in a non-conference matchup on Saturday (Sept. 8) at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field. The Bears open the 2018 season under the leadership of interim head coach Ernest T. Jones. Akron completed the 2017 season with a 7-7 overall mark and were 6-2 in MAC play. The Zips' contest last Saturday against Nebraska was cancelled due to severe weather. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+. The game will also be broadcast on WEAA, 88.9 FM. 

GAME COVERAGE
TELEVISION: ESPN+ will be televising the game live ... Jonathan Yardley will handle the play-by-play duties with color analyst Tyoka Jackson. 

RADIO: WEAA, 88.9 FM is the flagship station for the Morgan State Bears ... Lamont Germany will call the play-by-play with Kelvin Bridgers in the booth. The game will be broadcast live on 88.9 FM and streamed on WEAA.org. 

LIVE STREAM: ESPN3

LIVE STATS: Click Here

SOCIAL NETWORKS
Fans can keep up-to-date with all MSU Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/MorganStBears and @MorganStateFootball. You can also become a fan of the Bears on Facebook at Facebook.com/MorganStateBears.

TICKETS
Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all five home games, including homecoming start at only $95. Premium seats are now available for purchase by calling 443.885.1522 or visiting MSU Student Center Athletics Ticket Office during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or visit  morganstatebears.com/tickets.
 
THE COACHES
•  Morgan State - Ernest T. Jones (Alcorn State, '95) joined the Bears as the Defensive Coordinator in 2016 and was previously a JUCO head coach at ASA Miami (2015 - 8-2 record); he has also worked at Connecticut, Notre Dame, Univ. of Buffalo, Cincinnati, Alcorn State, Central Michigan, Oberlin, Kentucky State and Concordia. CAREER RECORD (10-13, 2yrs)
•  Akron - Terry Bowden (West Virginia, '78), the Dean of all Mid-American Conference coaches with 171 career wins, enters his seventh season in 2018 at the helm of the UA program. CAREER RECORD (171-106-2, 24 yrs); RECORD AT AKRON (31-44, 7th yr). 



LAST TIME OUT vs. THE ZIPS
•  Sept. 15, 2012 -- Akron (1-2) scored touchdowns on its first two drives to build a 21-6 lead before halftime.
•  Jawon Chisholm ran 18 times for 129 yards and Dalton Williams hit 37 of 48 passes for 446 yards with 3 TDs as head coachTerry Bowden got win No. 1 as the Zips set or tied six team and two individual school records in a 66-6 win over Morgan State at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field.
•  Akron's 66 points and 753 yards of total offense broke a nine-year mark set on Sept. 20, 2003, against Howard (65 points, 692 yds).
•  The Zips also finished with a program-best 43 first downs, also in that contest against Howard. UA set a school record for completions as well with 44.
•  Akron also set the program and Mid-American Conference mark for passing yards (565) and posted the third-most offensive yards in league history with 753. Akron's 59 pass attempts tied the UA school mark.
• Deshaun Summer led the Bears with 11 tackles and had a tackle for loss and pass breakup. Nate Ayers (Safeties Coach) collected the 2nd interception of his career, while Travis Davidson accounted for 105 all purpose yards.
 
A WIN WOULD ... 
...give Ernest T. Jones his first win as MSU's head coach and his 11th career win.
... would mark the Bears' first  win against Akron in school history.
... mark MSU's first road non-conference win since defeating Bowie State (28-23) on Sept. 13, 2014.
... mark MSU's first non-conference road win since defeating Towson 12-9 on Sept. 26, 2009.
... mark the Bears  road win  since a 35-24  win on Nov. 19, 2016.
... .mark MSU's earliest season victory since recording a 28-3 home win against Illinois State on Sept. 12, 2015.
 
QUICK HITS
• Junior DeAndre Harris, a 6-4, 210-pound quarterback from Washington (Ga.) opened the season as the Bears starter. He completed 12-of-21 passes for 101 yards, with an interception. He also led the team with 31 yards on 12 carries.
• The Bears' starting RB in Week 1 was talented redshirt-freshman Josh Chase (6-1, 210, Severn, Md.). Chase ran for 28 yards on 13 carries vs. Towson.
• LB Rico Kennedy, the team's leading tackler in 2017 with 70 stops, in addition to 19.5 tackles for loss (No. 3 in the FCS), posted eight tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in the Bears' season opener vs. Towson.
• Senior LB Damare' Whitaker was a force in the Bears' home-opener against Towson, as the senior finished with a team-high nine solo tackles, including a sack.
• Senior DB Carl Garnes was a standout for the Bears secondary a season ago. The Columbus, N.J. native was named to the 2017 All-MEAC Third Team and garnered 35 tackles and a pair of INTs in 10 games played.
• The Bears drew first blood in last week's contest versus Towson. MSU took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter when Towson's Coby Tippett mishandled a punt on their own 5-yard line leaving freshman long-snapper Zach Castano to recover for the Bears first score.
• Ernest T. Jones' Bears are predicted to finish 9th in the MEAC's 2018 Preseason Order of Finish. 
 
A GLANCE AT THE ZIPS
•  Akron finished the 2017 season with an overall mark of 7-7 and captured the MAC East Title with a 6-2 conference record. They capped the season with a 50-3 loss against Florida Atlantic in the Boca Raton Bowl.
•  Terry Bowden (West Virginia, '78) leads the Zips in his 7th season at the helm.
•  Akron, the defending MAC East champion, were picked to finish fourth in the MAC East in the league's preseason poll.
•  Akron returns 58 letterwinners, including 15 starters, to its spread offense and 4-3 defense.
•  Akron returns senior RB Van Edwards (Cape Coral, Fla.) who rushed for 343 yards and two touchdowns on 94 carries in 2017.
•  Sophomore QB Kato Nelson (Hollywood, Fla.) went 70-of-140 for 989 yards and eight touchdowns last fall.
•  Senior WR Kwadarrius Smith (Orlando, Fla.) is the top returning receiver with 726 yards and seven TDs on 34 receptions.
• One of the defensive leaders for the Zips is two-time first-team All-MAC LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) returns for his senior season after leading the Zips with 141 tackles, 9.5 TFL, five sacks, five hurries, four break-ups, three interceptions, and a fumble recovery in 2017.
• Senior CB Kyron Brown (Boynton Beach, Fla.) is a team captain for the Zips and last season finished with 49 tackles, 2.0 TFL, two interceptions for 108 yards, a team-best 11 break-ups, and a fumble recovery.  He was named to the 2018 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List and preseason second-team All-MAC by Athlon Sports.
• For the third consecutive year, Akron's senior Kyle Foster (Parkersburg, W.Va.) has been named a preseason candidate for the 2018 Peter Mortell Holder of the Year Award. Foster, who has played in every game of his collegiate career as the holder, was a semifinalist for the award in 2016 and 2017.
• Following a three-hour delay for lightning and thunderstorms, Akron's season opening, non-conference football game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers was cancelled.

MORGAN STATE/AKRON CONNECTIONS

• Akron has one player from the state of Maryland on its roster– junior OL Trevor Brown [Clinton, Md. | Wise HS].  Morgan State has two players from the state of Ohio– redshirt freshman RB Demerius Goodwin [Cleveland, Ohio | Glenville/Ginn Academy] and freshman TE Jack McCracken [Cincinnati, Ohio | Archbishop Moeller]. 
• MSU interim head coach Ernest T. Jones served as the associate head coach at MAC rival Buffalo (2010-11).
• The Bears' co-defensive coordinator Antonio James earned first-team All-Ohio accolades at Massillon Washington HS as a senior in 2005.

PRESEASON PICKED 9TH 
Morgan State was picked to finish ninth (9th) to MEAC defending champion and Preseason #1 North Carolina A&T and #2 Howard.
 
PRESEASON ALL-MEAC PLAYERS
Seven (7) Morgan State football players were named to the 2018 MEAC preseason team, which was voted on by the conference head coaches and sports information directors.  Senior defensive lineman Malachi Washington and junior linebacker Rico Kennedy were first-team selections. Senior offensive linemen Joshua Miles and Matthew Thompson were third-team picks, along with junior wideout Manasseh Bailey, junior linebacker Ian McBorrough, and senior defensive back Carl Garnes. The seven preseason All-MEAC performers are part of a group of 37 lettermen and 16 starters returning for the 2018 Morgan State football season.
 
BEARS OPEN 120th SEASON OF FOOTBALL SINCE 1898
MSU enters its 120th season of football and will open the 2018 campaign under interim head coach Ernest T. Jones, set to enter his first year at the helm and his third year at Morgan State.
 
RETURN MEN 
The 2018 Morgan State Bears return 37 letterwinners, including 16 starters - 7 on offense, 8 on defense and 1 on special teams.
 
CAMPAIGNING FOR SUCCESS 
The Bears enter the 2018 season looking to post their first winning season since going 6-5 in 2009. MSU's 7-6 record in 2014 was vacated. 
 
NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
The Bears will open the 2018 campaign against four non-conference opponents. MSU opens the season against Towson (Sept. 1) in the 'Battle for Greater Baltimore', followed by road trips versus  Akron (Sept. 9), Univ. at Albany (Sept. 15) and the N.C. A&T (Sept. 22) game will also be recorded as a non-conference contest. 
 
BEARS OPEN 41st SEASON IN MEAC
The Bears will open its 41st season in the MEAC when they host South Carolina State for Homecoming on Oct. 6.
• The Bears opened the 2017 MEAC schedule with a 49-17 loss against #15 N.C. A&T at Hughes Stadium. 
• The Bears kicked off its first season in the MEAC in 1971. Morgan State withdrew from the conference at the end of the 1979-80 fiscal year, before returning to the MEAC in 1984.
 
EDWARD SCOTT NAMED TO FCS ADA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Division I Football Subdivision Athletics Directors Association announced that Morgan State's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Edward Scott will serve on its Executive Committee. Scott represents the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

MAKING AN IMPACT IN THE CLASSROOM
The Morgan State football team has had great success in the classroom.
• Most recently, the Bears produced a 3.24 GPA during Summer 2018.
• The 2017-18 school year saw the Bears achieve their highest single-year GPA in program history.
• The program had 31 Athletic Director Honor Roll Members in the Fall of 2017, a 41% increase from the previous Fall. 

MSU LEGEND EDDIE P. HURT NAMED TO 2019 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME BALLOT
76 players and six coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 100 players and 32 coaches from the divisional ranks make-up the 2019 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.  Morgan State head coach Eddie P. Hurt is among the list of nominees.
•  Hurt led Morgan's football teams to six Black College National Championships and won 14 CIAA titles. 
• Eleven of his squads executed undefeated seasons, including a non-losing string of games from 1932 to 1938. 
•  His 1943 team did not allow a score from a single opponent.

WBAL-TV TO TELEVISE MORGAN STATE HOME FOOTBALL GAMES ON MeTV BALTIMORE

WBAL-TV has announced that it is partnering with Morgan State University (MSU) to televise the school's 2018 regular season home football games on MeTV Baltimore, WBAL-TV's digital channel.  The announcement was made by Dan Joerres, President and General Manager of WBAL-TV.
• All five home games at Morgan State's Hughes Memorial Stadium can be seen on MeTV Baltimore beginning on Saturday, September 1, 2018.  The season opener will feature Morgan against Towson University at 7:00 PM, billed as "The Battle of Greater Baltimore."
• "Morgan State is a wonderful institution with a rich history that is a part of the fabric of Baltimore City.   We could not be more excited to air Morgan State Football on MeTV Baltimore this fall," said Joerres.
• "Morgan Athletics is proud to be a part of the WBAL and MeTV family.   Morgan has a special place in the Baltimore community and we believe partnering with WBAL is only going to strengthen that relationship with Greater Baltimore.

FOLLOW US IN CYBERSPACE 
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official web site of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more. 
• Follow us on social media:
            Facebook: /MorganStateBears
            Twitter: @MorganStBears
            Instagram: /MorganStateBears

ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
 
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