As has been the case several times for the Spartans this season, they were unable to hang on to the lead, as 14 points from Morgan State allowed the Bears to wrest victory away from Norfolk State.
The inability to close out these games and the self inflicted wounds have worn thin on first year head coach Michael Vick, who said this after the game:
Norfolk State, and the game’s, opening drive was but short when Vinson Berry’s pass was picked off by Aki Harvey, who returned it 48 yards to the Norfolk one yard line. Randall Nauden punched it on the next play to put Morgan State up 7-0 at the 10:29 mark.
After forcing a theee and out on the subsequent MSU possession, the NSU offense was back on the field and Kevon housed it from 79 yards out to tie the game at 7, with the successful PAT. King finished the day with 189 yards and that score on 14 carries. His backfield mate Xzavion Evans also topped the century mark running for 107 yards on 15 carries.
Norfolk State forced another Morgan State three and out, and combined with just a 23-yard punt , set the Spartans offense up at their own 49 yard line. Six plays later Berry connected with Kam’Ryn Thomas from 18-yards out to put Norfolk State up 14-7 with. 2:20 remaining in the period.
However their time in front was shortlived. Dorian Harris’ 75-yard return of the ensuing kickoff gave Morgan Stae excellent field position at the Norfolk 20-yard line. Bears quarterback Raymond Moore III found Joshua Smith on an 8-yard scoring toss that knotted the contest at 14.
The games next score would not come until the 2:49 mark of the fourth quarter when the Spartans ended a 10-play, 67 yard driven when Berry found J.J. Evans on a 17-yard scoring toss. The PAT was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 20-14.
More potential points for the Spartans turned into a score for Morgan State as an unsuccessful 42-yard field goal attempt turned into a touchdown for the Bears giving them a 21-20 halftime lead.
Norfolk State reclaimed the lead on the lone score of the third quarter, when DreSean Kendrick scampered in from 10-yards out. A successful 2-point conversion put the Spartans up 28-21.
MSU tied the game on Moore III’s 13-yard scoring toss to Justin Perry with 10:14 left in the contest.
The subsequent NSU drive went nowhere, losing 2 yards in three plays. The punt that concluded Spartans offense brief and ineffectual appearance on the field was returned by Malique Leatherbury 33 yards to the Norfolk State 42-yard line. A personal foul on Mayoy McGodfred pushed the Bears’ starting position to the 27-yard line. It only took Morgan State 3 plays to capitalize on this excellent field position when Moore III plunged in, putting the Bears up 35-28 with the converted PAT.
After a Norfolk State three and out on their next possession, the Spartans were unable to get stops as Morgan State was able to convert a pair of third downs, enabling them to run out the clock.
The loss marked the ninth consecutive loss for the Spartans. Of those losses, six of them have been by 7 points or less.
Norfolk State hopes to end their season on a positive note, and get their first win over a Division I opponent next week when they face the Bison of Howard University. Norfolk State nipped Howard 21-20 in their meeting last season.
