Image via Chris Thompkins/Morgan State Athletics
Morgan State produced a thrilling comeback Saturday, overcoming a 14-point deficit to defeat Robert Morris 28-27 in a dramatic football showdown.
The Bears used an explosive third quarter to erase an early deficit before Keith Jenkins Jr. delivered the decisive touchdown with just 24 seconds remaining. Morgan State’s ability to run the football and respond under pressure proved crucial in the one-point victory.
Robert Morris built a 14-0 lead behind quarterback Carson Haggard, who connected with Attawan Mays for a 28-yard touchdown in the first quarter before adding a 4-yard rushing score in the second.
Morgan State finally got on the scoreboard when Gavin Fetty converted a 30-yard field goal as the first half expired, sending the Bears into halftime trailing 14-3.
Morgan State Explodes for 18 Third-Quarter Points
The Bears came out of halftime with renewed energy.
Fetty opened the second-half scoring with a 19-yard field goal at 10:51, cutting the deficit to 14-6.
Less than five minutes later, Cameron Edge connected with Joseph Towler on a 56-yard touchdown pass. Fetty’s extra point brought Morgan State within one, 14-13.
Robert Morris answered with a big play of its own when Haggard found Noah Schaerli for a 54-yard touchdown, pushing the Colonials’ advantage to 21-13.
Morgan State responded again. Jenkins Jr. broke loose for a 45-yard touchdown run, and Alex Simmons completed the two-point conversion pass to tie the game at 21-21 with 2:21 remaining in the third quarter.
The Bears had turned a 14-3 halftime deficit into a tie game.
Late Fourth-Quarter Drama
Robert Morris regained the lead when Haggard connected with Eyasu Palmore for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 4:16 remaining. The Colonials failed to convert the extra point, leaving Morgan State within striking distance at 27-21.
The Bears put together an 11-play, 75-yard drive that consumed 3:52.
With just 24 seconds remaining, Jenkins Jr. powered into the end zone from one yard out. Fetty converted the extra point, giving Morgan State its first lead of the game at 28-27.
The comeback was complete.
Morgan State vs. Robert Morris: Final Score
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Robert Morris | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 27 |
| Morgan State | 0 | 3 | 18 | 7 | 28 |
Offensive Standouts
Morgan State Bears
Keith Jenkins Jr. — Running Back
- 13 carries
- 98 rushing yards
- 2 rushing touchdowns
- Longest run: 45 yards
- 7.5 yards per carry
Jenkins Jr. was the centerpiece of Morgan State’s comeback. His 45-yard touchdown run helped tie the game in the third quarter, and his one-yard score with 24 seconds left secured the victory.
He also contributed five receptions for 47 yards, giving him 145 yards from scrimmage.
Cameron Edge — Quarterback
- 18-of-29 passing
- 181 passing yards
- 1 touchdown
- 0 interceptions
- 61 rushing yards
Edge provided balance to the Morgan State offense, contributing 242 total yards through the air and on the ground. His 56-yard touchdown pass to Towler helped ignite the third-quarter rally.
Joseph Towler — Wide Receiver
- 3 receptions
- 66 receiving yards
- 1 touchdown
- Longest reception: 56 yards
Towler delivered the Bears’ biggest passing play, hauling in Edge’s 56-yard touchdown strike.
Robert Morris Colonials
Carson Haggard — Quarterback
- 23-of-30 passing
- 376 passing yards
- 3 passing touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 54-yard longest completion
- 3 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown
Haggard put together a productive passing performance, throwing for 376 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Despite his production, Robert Morris could not close out the game.
Noah Schaerli — Wide Receiver
- 3 receptions
- 93 receiving yards
- 1 touchdown
- Longest reception: 54 yards
Schaerli delivered the Colonials’ 54-yard touchdown in the third quarter, briefly restoring their two-score advantage.
Attawan Mays — Wide Receiver
- 4 receptions
- 91 receiving yards
- 1 touchdown
Mays opened the scoring with a 28-yard touchdown reception and finished with 91 receiving yards.
Team Statistics Comparison
| Statistic | Robert Morris | Morgan State |
| Passing yards | 376 | 181 |
| Rushing yards | 61 | 188 |
| Total offensive yards | 437 | 369 |
| Passing touchdowns | 3 | 1 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 1 | 2 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 0 |
Total offensive yards are calculated by adding the supplied passing and net rushing yards.
Robert Morris held a 68-yard advantage in total offense, but Morgan State controlled the ground game with 188 rushing yards compared with 61 for the Colonials.
That difference helped the Bears overcome Robert Morris’ passing attack and execute the late scoring drive.
The Turning Point: Morgan State’s Ground Game
The Bears finished with 188 rushing yards on 27 attempts, averaging 7.0 yards per carry according to the supplied statistics.
Jenkins Jr. led the way with 98 yards and two touchdowns, while Edge added 61 rushing yards. Together, the pair accounted for 159 rushing yards.
Robert Morris, meanwhile, missed a 36-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter at 9:50. The Colonials later scored to take a 27-21 lead, but the missed opportunity left room for Morgan State’s eventual comeback.
The decisive sequence belonged to the Bears: an 18-point third quarter, a late defensive stand, and a game-winning drive capped by Jenkins Jr.
Final Takeaway
Morgan State demonstrated resilience in a game that appeared to be slipping away early. The Bears trailed 14-0, went into halftime down 14-3, and then outscored Robert Morris 18-7 in the third quarter to set up a dramatic finish.
Jenkins Jr.’s two touchdowns, Edge’s dual-threat performance and Towler’s explosive reception fueled the rally. Fetty supplied the final point that separated the teams.
Final: Morgan State 28, Robert Morris 27.
The Bears turned a difficult start into a memorable comeback victory.
