MSU wins home opener

Simpson runs for 3 TDs as Bears tame Savannah State 47-7

MSU Sports Information

Senior RB Chad Simspon ignites the season with 3 TDs and 142 yards against Savannah State on Thursday night.

BALTIMORE, Md. – Chad Simpson has returned for the 2007 campaign as one of the most exciting talents in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), and possibly one of the best in the NCAA Football Championship Series.

The Morgan State running back ran for 142 yards and three touchdowns and the Bears cruised over Savannah State 47-7 on Thursday night at Hughes Stadium.

The All-conference back was selected as the Offensive Most Valuable Player of the Harlow Fullwood Youth Day game.

Morgan State rolled up 345 yards of total offense, despite being penalized for a whopping 149 yards. The teams combined for 284 yards of penalties.

Mario Melton looked sharp in the Bears season-opener as he connected on 10-of-17 passes for 112 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown pass to Roderick Wolfe to push the Bears lead to 30-0 at the end of the first half.

Wolfe, a Preseason All-MEAC selection, finished the contest with five receptions for 42 yards, while sophomore sensation Edwin Baptiste collected a game-high 70 yards on five catches.

Morgan State's 47 points were the most since it scored 55 points against Savannah State in 2005 at the Proctor & Gamble Classic at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

The Bears defense held Savannah State scoreless until the 8:32 mark of the 4th quarter when JaCorey Kilcrease threw to Isaiah Osbourne for a 45-yard touchdown strike.

Despite the touchdown, the Morgan defense gave the Tigers fits all night long. It didn't seem to matter whether it was the first or second team defense, the Bears swarmed to the ball and compiled a total of 12 tackles in the backfield (-46 yards) and collected three interceptions.

Senior linebacker Bryan Wilson returned the first interception of the contest 23-yards for a touchdown to help push the Bears lead to 17-0 at the 8:42 mark of the 2nd quarter. Junior linebacker Jerrell Guyton led the Bears on defense and finished with a game-high 10 tackles, while Mark Hicks and Lamar West added five tackles each.

Kilcrease threw for 111 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers, and Savannah State's ground attack was limited to 29 yards on 32 carries.

Morgan State will host Towson Saturday, September 8th for a cross-town duel. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Hughes Stadium.