It took every bit of 60 minutes but Norfolk State finally got their first win of the season , a 24-21 win over Morgan State that quite literally came down to the last play of the game.
After receiving the opening kickoff, Norfolk State only needed three plays to travel 63 yards, hitting paydirt on Kevon King’s 34-yard scamper to hand the Spartans a 7-0 lead. Later in the quarter, Morgan State threatened to get points of their own but the Bears 10 play, 72-yard drive would be for nought as Stuart Anderson forced a fumble on Alfonzo Graham’s 21-yard run at the 1-yard line that was recovered by Daylan Long.
The Spartans would extend their lead to 14-0 in the second quarter, capping off an 8 play, 68 yard drive with an Otto Kuhn 1-yard touchdown run. After pushing their lead to 17-0 on a 29-yard field goal off the foot of Grandin Wilcox, it appeared the route might be forthcoming.
However Morgan State responded with a 10 play, 72-yard drive that put the Bears in the endzone right before halftime when Carson Baker connected with Tyler Wilkins to make it a 17-7 lead headed into intermission.
After neither team were able to get anything done offensively in the third quarter, the Spartans’ lead was trimmed to 3 at 17-14 when Carson Baker ran it in from 13-yards out.
Morgan State, who had seized the momentum, finally dug themselves out of the hole, taking a 21-17 lead on Alfonso Graham’s 51-yard touchdown scamper, atoning for his earlier fumble. Graham finished with 203 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.
Down three points with just 1:48 left in the contest, Norfolk State displayed resolve , traveling 66 yards in nine plays, reclaiming the lead, and the win when Jaylan Adams found Da’Quan Felton for the go-ahead score putting the Spartans up for good 24-21.
Morgan State(2-3, 0-1 MEAC) has a short week before they take on North Carolina Central at 7:30 pm EST. Norfolk State (1-5, 1-3 MEAC) will host the Hornets of Delaware State next week for their homecoming. Kickoff time is set for 2:00 P.M. EST.
