The MSU Scouting Report
So far this season, Morgan State’s defense has not been as dominant as it was a year ago. But when you add in that the Bears played Division I Akron to open the season, the Bears defense might be rounding into shape. The Bears rank No. 1 in the MEAC in pass defense, but they rank last in rushing defense. The Bears lost MEAC Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Jerrell Guyton, but they do return four first-team All-MEAC defensive players in linebackers George Howard and Troy Leftwich, defensive lineman Justin Lawrence and defensive back Darren McKhan. Howard leads the MEAC in tackles with an amazing 15.0 takcles per game. Offensively, the Bears have struggled. They rank last in the MEAC in rushing offense and eighth in passing offense. Devan James, who had 1,337 yards last season, has only 87 yards rushing this season.

Conference Honors
The conference released its weekly honors and named senior quarterback Carlton Fears MEAC Offensive Player of the Week. Fears threw for a career-high 166 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-winning 24-yard touchdown toss to Wallace Miles in double overtime. Fears also rushed for 58 yards on 13 carries. Alex Harper was named MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week. Harper had nine pancake blocks and he helped the Aggies gain 173 yards on the ground.

Year Ago Against the Bears
There were not many bright spots in last season’s game against Morgan State other than the fact that the Bears defensive coordinator is now the Aggies head coach, and the fact that the offensive coordinator is now the Aggies offensive coordinator. Those two factors are a good thing considering the Bears dominated the Aggies offensively and defensively in a 41-3 win at Aggie Stadium. The Bears held the Aggies to just 139 yards of total offense while compiling 450 yards of offense. Devan James had 120 of those yards on 27 carries. He also scored a touchdown. Quarterback Carlton Jackson threw for 128 yards and a touchdown on 7-for-12 passing. Receiver Edwin Baptiste caught two passes for 30 yards. Linebackers George Howard and Troy Leftwich had five tackles apiece. Carlton Fears led the Aggies in rushing last season with 52 yards on five carries. Wallace Miles and Giorgio Lowrance caught one pass apiece last season, but they went for a combined minus-1 yard. Defensively, Jarrell Herring led the way for the Aggies with eight tackles.

An Aggies Win Means
...The Aggies would have traveled farther for this win than any other win they have had in the last four seasons. The Aggies only win away from Aggie Stadium came 25 miles down the road when the Aggies defeated the Rams earlier this season. The Aggies have not won a game outside the state of North Carolina in four years.

…The Aggies will win more than one conference game in a season for the first time since 2003 In ’03, the Aggies won the MEAC by going 8-1 in the conference.

…The Aggies will essential earn his fifth win of the season with forfeit upcoming. It would put the Aggies one win away from their first winning season in six years. In fact, in the last four seasons, the Aggies have won only six games.