Friday, Nov. 16, 2012
Opponent: University of South Carolina (1-0)
Site: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia S.C.
Game Time: 7:00 p.m. (ET)
Television: Fox Sports South
Television Talent: Andy Demetra (Play-by-Play) and Eddie Fogler (Analyst)
MSU Coach: Todd Bozeman (112-86 – 7th yr)

BALTIMORE, Md. —  Morgan State takes on the University of South Carolina in the Bears’ true first road test of the 2012-13 campaign. Morgan State will enter the contest following a weekend in which they posted a 1-2 record during the ODU Liberty Tax Classic. The Gamecocks (1-0) needed overtime to defeat Milwaukee 82-75 during the Gamecocks season-opener at Colonial Life Arena on Nov. 11. The Bears-Gamecocks game will be televised live by Fox Sports South.

Bear Bits:
• Morgan State will play the South Carolina Gamecocks for the first time in school history.

• The Bears had 10 games decided by 1-4 points during the 2011-12 season…The Bears held a 1-9 record.

• DeWayne Jackson averaged 14 points, 5.7 rebounds and shot 53 percent from the field in three games at the Liberty Tax Classic … he was selected to All-Tournament Team as a result of his performance.

• Sophomore guard Blake Bozeman has connected on 7-of-12 (.583 pct.) from 3-point territory .

• Anthony Hubbard leads the Bears in scoring by averaging 15.7 points to go along with a team-high 9.3 rebounds.

• The Bears are outrebounding opponents by an average of 39.3 to 33.3 through the first three games.

• An MSU win would give Todd Bozeman his 113th victory in his 200th games as Morgan State’s head coach.

MORGAN STATE VS. SEC
Morgan State’s last time out against an SEC opponent was at Arkansas on Nov. 24, 2009. The Bears posted a 97-94 victory and improved its record to 1-2 vs. SEC opponents.
Arkansas 1-1
Florida 0-1

SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA
The Gamecocks welcome back eight veterans — two starters — from a squad that posted a 10-21 overall record and finished 12th in the Southeastern Conference with a 2-14 ledger last season. Freshman Michael Carrera paced the Gamecock with 17 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in the win against Milwaukee. Head coach Frank Martin is 118-54 in his 6th season.

FIRST THREE PART OF ODU TOURNAMENT
The first three games of the regular season made the Liberty Tax Classic on the Morgan State schedule. The Bears defeated the University of Texas at San Antonio (W 71-59), and fell to Old Dominion (L 72-61), and Holy Cross (L, 74-73) in the event hosted by Old Dominion at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. Morgan State senior swingman DeWayne Jackson was selected to the Liberty Tax Classic All-Tournament Team as a result of his performance during a weekend in which he averaged 14 points, 5.7 rebounds 3.7 assists with three steals.

FRESHMEN MAKE MORGAN STATE DEBUT IN LIBERTY TAX CLASSIC
Morgan State’s freshman class made class made its debut during the Liberty Tax Classic hosted by Old Dominion (Nov. 9-11) at Ted Constant Convocation Center. Rookies Donte Pretlow, Rasean Simpson and Cedric Blossom saw their first action as Bears. Pretlow made his debut versus University of Texas-San Antonio. He played 8 minutes and had seven points (2-2 FG) and two steals. Simpson and Blossom took the court for the first time against host Old Dominion. Simpson posted 3 points and a rebound in 3 minutes, while Blossom grabbed a board in 5 minutes of action.

MORGAN STATE TABBED THIRD IN PRESEASON POLL
Morgan State was picked to finish third in the 2012-13 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball preseason poll behind Savannah State and Delaware State.

JACKSON AND CHILES EARN PRESEASON HONORS
Morgan State senior DeWayne Jackson was selected to the Preseason All-MEAC First Team by the conference head coaches and sports information directors. Junior center Ian Chiles was selected to the Second Team.

UNFAMILIAR FOES
Morgan State will face six teams this season that the program has never met in its basketball history. The first time opponents are: UTSA, Old Dominion, Holy Cross, South Carolina, Illinois State and San Diego. The Bears do not see a familiar foe until the Nov. 29 matchup at Liberty (MSU leads, 1-0), their fifth game of the season. The other five opponents MSU previously has played are University of Virginia (trails, 0-1), Loyola Marymount (leads, 2-0), and Saint Joseph’s (trails, 0-1).

ROAD WARRIORS
Morgan State, which played its first three games on the road, including nine of its first 11 last season on the road, has won 15 of its past 25 games held away from the Hill Field House, including a 1-2 mark on neutral courts. The Bears finished 5-10 in true road contests and 0-3 on neutral floors in 2011-12 and posted a 4-4 road conference ledger, which was its worst mark since Todd Bozeman took over the program in 2006. This season’s schedule will send MSU on the road for 10 of its first 11 games, including a six-game road trip from Nov. 29-Dec. 29 that features contests in three different time zones. The Bears are guaranteed at least 19 games away from home this season.

JACKSON SET TO LEAD
DeWayne Jackson is the lone returning senior who saw action for Morgan State last year. There are seven (7) juniors, four (4) sophomores and two (2) freshmen on the Bears roster.

RECOVERING THE SWAG
The Bears will look to rebound from last year’s dismal season in which the Bears recorded a 9-20 finish. It marked Todd Bozeman‘s worst season as a head coach, and it was Morgan State’s worst season since going 4-26 in 2005-06.

JACKSON AND CHILES EARN PRESEASON HONORS
Morgan State senior DeWayne Jackson was selected to the Preseason All-MEAC First Team by the conference head coaches and sports information directors. Junior center Ian Chiles was selected to the Second Team.

JACKSON CLIMBING THE MSU RECORD BOOK
DeWayne Jackson (1,184, 396 rebs., 108 asts) needs just 8 points to surpass James Hall (1,191 points – 1963-67) to become the school’s No. 14 all-time leading scorer. Jackson is one of three Bears on MSU’s all-time scoring list who have been coached by Todd Bozeman. Kevin Thompson (2009-12) ranks No. 9 (1,487 points) and Reggie Holmes (2007-10) is the school’s all-time scoring leader with 2,051 points.

HOME GROWN
Morgan State has eight players from the Metropolitan-D.C. area, including one from Baltimore. Senior DeWayne Jackson (Bowie High) and sophmore Blake Bozeman (Solebury Prep) are both from Bowie. Transfer guard Daryl Traynham is from Melwood (Wise High), walk-on Daon Riley is from Severn (Old Mill High), and Cedric Blossom is from Columbia (Montrose Christian). Anthony Hubbard is a product of Woodbridge (Va.), while junior Justin Black attended DeMatha High and Donte Pretlow was a standout at Dunbar High in Baltimore.

BOZEMAN WIN PERCENTAGE AT MSU
Todd Bozeman, now in his seventh season as head coach of the Bears, has an overall win percentage of .563 (112-89) after 199 games at Morgan State. That winning mean is the second highest among 15 head coaches in the history of the Morgan State men’s basketball program. Nathaniel Frazier’s winning percentage of .578 (166-121) is the highest percentage in Morgan State history.

UP NEXT
The Bears will travel to face Liberty at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29.

GAME TIME
Morgan State (3-6, 2-4 MEAC) continues the 2012 season play in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference matchup at Norfolk State on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at Dick Price Stadium.  The Spartans enter the 2012 season under the leadership of eight-year head coach Pete Adrian. The Spartans (3-7, 1-6) are coming off its first conference win following a 33-21 homecoming win against Savannah State. The Bears fell 24-13 at Hughes Stadium against top-ranked Bethune-Cookman.

THE BEARS-SPARATNS MATCHUP 
• The Bears and Spartans will meet for the 25th time since 1965. Norfolk State leads the series 14-10 and has won the last five meetings against MSU.

•  Nov. 12, 2011 – Morgan State took the field at Hughes Stadium Saturday still with an outside shot at a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. But after gamely battling No. 22 Norfolk State throughout the first half, the Bears saw their chances disappear with one utterly forgettable stretch to open the second half.

Morgan allowed 17 straight points in a span of 4 minutes, 26 seconds, turning a close game into a 47-14 rout before an announced 5,329.

• The last time the Bears played at William ‘Dick’ Price Stadium was on Nov. 6, 2010 … Morgan State matched Norfolk State punch for punch, before falling 37-25. Spartan quarterback Chris Walley passed for season highs of 305 yards and four touchdowns and set a single-game school record by completing 20-of-22 passes in the process.

QUICK HITS
•  Travis Davidson currently ranks 2nd in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in rushing with 851 yards (94.6 avg/g). He also ranks No. 1 the MEAC in scoring (78 Pts).

•  QB Robert Council completed 14-of-31 passes for 121 yards and ran for 16 yards against Bethune-Cookman.

•  Cornerback Joe Rankin registered his 9th interception of his career, picking off Savannah State quarterback Antonio Bostic in the 1st quarter…He currently ranks T-No. in the MEAC in INTs with four in nine games…he also ranks T-No. 4 in passes defended (10), while his freshman teammate DaShaun Summers leads the league with 1.33 average passes defended.

• Twenty-one (21) Morgan State seniors were honored before the start of last Saturday’s game against B-CU.

•  The Bears continue to be among the top scoring offenses in the league, entering Saturday’s contest as the MEAC’s No. 5 ranked scoring offense (23.6 avg/g).

•  True freshman LB Elandon Roberts currently ranks No. 2 in the MEAC in tackles by posting 83 tackles so far this season … he recorded a season-high 16 tackles against Delaware State on Oct. 25.

•  Sophomore defensive end Christopher Robinson currently leads the MEAC with seven sacks in just seven games played. He posted seven nine tackles, a forced fumble and a sack against Bethune-Cookman last Saturday.

SPARTANS THUMBNAIL
• The Wildcats enter Week 10 coming off a 33-21 Homecoming victory against Savannah State. The win snapped the Spartans’ 6-game losing streak and marked its first conference win of the season.

• In 2011, Norfolk State finished with a 9-3 overall record and 7-1 in the MEAC and captured the league championship.

• Norfolk State junior quarterback Nico Flores was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. Flores got his first start at quarterback in over a month and helped lead the Spartans to a 33-21 win over Savannah State on Saturday. Flores completed 17-of-28 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed 14 times for a career-high 116 rushing yards. Flores totaled 329 yards of total offense. This is the first weekly MEAC award of Flores’ career.

• Through the first 10 games, WR Xavier Boyce (6-4, 220) and Derrick Demps (5-11, 180) have been two of the  leading receivers in the Spartans  offensive attack. Boyce, a junior from Virginia Beach (Va.), has recorded 54 receptions for 574 yards (10.6 avg), including three TDs. Demps, a Tallahassee (Fla.) product, ranks No. 6 in the MEAC with 39 catches for 645 yards (11.2 avg) with six touchdowns.

• MSU’s offense will have to account for the Spartan linebacker Lynden Trail. The junior currently ranks among the league leaders with 66 tackles (ranks 18th), to go along with 5 sacks (ranks No. 6).

• The Bears’ defensive unit will face a Spartan offensive line that ranks No. 5 in the league in rushing by averaging 139.1 per contest.

• Through 10 games, the Norfolk State defense ranks No. 2 in the MEAC in total defense by limiting opponents to 283.8 yards per contest and ranks No.1  in pass defense (136.0/g) and No. 8 in run defense (147.8/g).

JUICE UPDATE
• Travis Davidson needs to gain 61 rushing yards to surpass Craig Nelson at No. 9 on the school’s all-time rushing list.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR THIS WEEK
•  The Bears rushing for 100 yards or more for the ninth consecutive game this season.

•  QB Robert Council needs just 63 more passing yards to reach 1,000 yards for the season.

•  The Bears having a 300-yard passing game for the first time since October 8, 2011. In Week 6, Morgan State defeated Savannah State 44-17 and Seth Higgins, Nate Furrha and Robert Council combined for 16-of-26 passes for 318 yards and five TDs.

•  Cornerback Joe Rankin registering an interception would mark his fifth of the season and the 10th of his career.  He would need to collect six more to surpass Joe Fowlkes for the school record.  Fowlkes posted 15 INTs during his career (1975-78).

•  Travis Davidson needs just 149 more rushing yards to reach 1,000 yards for the season.

NOVEMBER CHILL
The Bears are 10-19 in November games since the start of the 2002 season.

NEXT UP
After Saturday’s contest at Norfolk State, the Bears will host the Hampton Pirates at Hughes Stadium. The matchup is set for Saturday, November 17. Kickoff at 1 p.m.

BALTIMORE, Md. —  Morgan State men’s basketball team will open the 2012-13 season with a trio of games at the Liberty Tax Classic this Friday-Sunday, Nov. 9-11, in Norfolk, Va. The Bears will face the University of Texas-San Antonio at 5 p.m. on Friday, host Old Dominion at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday and Holy Cross at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday.

Morgan State at Liberty Tax Classic
Game #1 — vs. UTSA •   5 p.m. • Friday, Nov. 9
Game #2 — vs. Old Dominion Manarchs •   7:15 p.m. • Saturday, Nov. 10
Game #3 — vs. Holy Cross Crusdaers •   4:15 p.m. • Sunday, Nov. 11
Ted Constant Convocation Center (8,472) •  Norfolk, Va.
Live Stats: odusports.com

Bear Bits:
• Morgan State will play the University of Texas at San Antonio, Old Dominion and Holy Cross for the first time in school history.

• Morgan State is 2-1 vs. Conference USA opponents. The Bears are 1-1 against East Carolina and defeated Marshall 72-67 during the 2008-09 season in their only match-up.

• Morgan State is 15-19 vs. Colonial Athletic Association opponents.  2-0 vs. Hofstra; 1-8 vs. James Madison; 12-10 vs. Towson; and 0-1 vs. William and Mary.

• Morgan State is 3-3 vs. Patriot League opponents. 3-1 vs. American and 0-2 vs. Navy

• The Bears had 10 games decided by 1-4 points during the 2011-12 season… The Bears held a 1-9 record.

• DeWayne Jackson scored a career-high 33 points against Norfolk State on Jan. 14, 2012.  He added 4 rebounds, 3 assist, 2 blocks and 2 steals.

LAST TIME OUT
Morgan State entered the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament winners of four of their last five games. However, the Bears’ struggles with converting field goals was their undoing this Tuesday afternoon. Hampton found their stride with their three-point shooting and Darrion Pellum stepped up late to help them defeat the Bears 69-65 in the first round action of the MEAC Tournament. The loss ended what was a tough season for head coach Todd Bozeman and his Bears.
“It’s tough to take a loss on the first day. It’s been the most challenging season I’ve ever had in my career,” said Bozeman, whose Bears finished the season 9-20.
MSU was very much in the game despite converting only four of 32 field goals in the first half. It was because of their rebounding, particularly on the offensive end.  The Bears outrebounded Hampton by a 48-35 margin that included 21 offensive boards.
The game was nip and tuck for most of the second half. Kevin Thompson (12 pts, 17 rebs) gave MSU their final lead of the game, 55-54, on a three-point play with 2:40 remaining.
Hampton (11-20) scored the next 10 points and sealed the Bears’ fate. The run started when Jasper Williams, who scored 20 points, hit an off-balanced three-pointer. Williams hurt the Bears from long range, nailing five of seven shots three-pointers. It ended on Darrion Pellum’s four consecutive free throws. The last two with 39 seconds left put the Pirates up to stay at 64-55.
Pellum led everyone with 23 points on the afternoon. But he wasn’t the sole focus for Morgan State defensively according to Bozeman.

MORGAN STATE IN SEASON OPENERS
The Bears are 17-30 in season openers since 1963-64. Todd Bozeman is 2-4 in season openers at Morgan State. The last time the Bears won a season opener was during the 2010-11 campaign when they posted an 81-79 victory at Loyola Marymount.

MORGAN STATE TABBED THIRD IN PRESEASON POLL
Morgan State was picked to finish third in the 2012-13 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball preseason poll behind Savannah State and Delaware State.

JACKSON AND CHILES EARN PRESEASON HONORS
Morgan State senior DeWayne Jackson was selected to the Preseason All-MEAC First Team by the conference head coaches and sports information directors. Junior center Ian Chiles was selected to the Second Team.

JACKSON SET TO LEAD
DeWayne Jackson is the lone returning senior who saw action for Morgan State last year. In fact, he is just one of two seniors on the Bears roster. After transfer Anthony Hubbard, who transferred to Morgan State from Iowa and sat out the 2011-12 campaign, there are six (6) juniors, four (4)  sophomores and two (2) freshmen on the Bears roster.

RECOVERING THE SWAG
The Bears will look to rebound from last year’s dismal season in which the Bears recorded a 9-20 finish. It marked Todd Bozeman‘s worst season as a head coach, and it was Morgan State’s worst season since going 4-26 in 2005-06.

JACKSON AND CHILES EARN PRESEASON HONORS
Morgan State senior DeWayne Jackson was selected to the Preseason All-MEAC First Team by the conference head coaches and sports information directors. Junior center Ian Chiles was selected to the Second Team.

JACKSON CLIMBING THE MSU RECORD BOOK 
DeWayne Jackson (1,156, 384 rebs., 107 asts) needs just 14 points to supass Billy Newton (1,169 points) to become the school’s No. 16 all-time leading scorer. Jackson is one of three Bears on MSU’s all-time scoring list who have been coached by Todd Bozeman. Kevin Thompson (2009-12) ranks No. 9 (1,487 points) and Reggie Holmes (2007-10) is the school’s all-time scoring leader with 2,051 points.

HOME GROWN
Morgan State has eight players from the Metropolitan-D.C. area, including one from Baltimore. Senior DeWayne Jackson (Bowie High) and sophmore Blake Bozeman (Solebury Prep) are both from Bowie. Transfer guard Daryl Traynham is from Melwood (Wise High), walk-on Daon Riley is from Severn (Old Mill High), and Cedric Blossom is from Columbia (Montrose Christian). Anthony Hubbard is a product of Woodbridge (Va.), while junior Justin Black attended DeMatha High and Donte Pretlow was a standout at Dunbar High in Baltimore.

BOZEMAN WIN PERCENTAGE AT MSU
Todd Bozeman, now in his seventh season as head coach of the Bears, has an overall win percentage of .566 (111-85) after 196 games at Morgan State. That winning mean is the second highest among 15 head coaches in the history of the Morgan State men’s basketball program. Nathaniel Frazier’s winning percentage of .578 (166-121) is the highest percentage in Morgan State history.

UP NEXT
The Bears will travel to face the University of South Carolina at 7 p.m. on  Friday, Nov. 16.

GAME TIME
Morgan State (3-5, 2-3 MEAC) continues the 2012 season play in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference matchup against No. 24 Bethune-Cookman on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at Hughes Stadium.  The Wildcats enter the 2012 season under the leadership of third-year head coach Brian Jenkins. The Wildcats (6-2, 5-0) are coming off a 42-17 win against North Carolina Central.  The Bears fell short in the final moments against Delaware State 28-23 at Hughes Stadium.

THE BEARS-WILDCATS MATCHUP 
• The Bears and Wildcats will meet for the 28th time since 1986. Bethune-Cookman leads the series 18-8.

•  Nov. 5, 2011 – Isidore Jackson rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown, and Jackie Wilson ran for three touchdowns as Bethune-Cookman eased past Morgan State 49-23 before a Homecoming crowd of 9,649 at Municipal Stadium. Wilson finished 10-of-15 for 186 yards for the Wildcats who finished the ballgame with seven rushing touchdowns. Travis Davidson had a 44-yard rushing touchdown and rushed for a game-high 133 yards on 17 carries to lead Morgan State.

• The last time the Wildcats played in Hughes Stadium was on Oct. 2, 2010 … A dominating 69-32 victory over Morgan State extended the Wildcats’ record to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the MEAC. MSU finished the game by committing eight turnovers, four by air (interceptions) and four by ground (fumbles). MSU, held to 247 yards total offense, got touchdowns from Tyrone Hendrix on a 93-yard kickoff return and Nico Scott on a 44-yard interception return and trailed 42-26 at halftime.

QUICK HITS
• Travis Davidson currently ranks 2nd in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in rushing with 794 yards (113.4 avg/g). He also ranks No. 1 the MEAC in scoring (72 Pts).

•  QB Robert Council started against Delaware State and completed 13-of-19 passes for 68 yards and scored two touchdowns, including a  41-yard touchdown run.

•  Cornerback Joe Rankin registered his 9th interception of his career, picking off Savannah State quarterback Antonio Bostic in the 1st quarter…He currently leads the MEAC in INTs with four in eight games…he also ranks No. 3 in passes defended (10), while his freshman teammate DaShaun Summers leads the league with 1.33 average passes defended.

• The MSU defense has collected 10 interceptions (ranked No. 3 in MEAC) through the first eight games of 2012.

•  The Bears continue to be among the top scoring offenses in the league, entering Saturday’s contest as the MEAC’s No. 4 ranked scoring offense (24.9 avg/g).

•  True freshman LB Elandon Roberts currently ranks No. 2 in the MEAC in tackles by posting 76 tackles so far this season. … he recorded a season-high 16 tackles against Delaware State on Oct. 25.

•  Four of the Bears’ losses have been by a total of 10 points – an average of 2.5 points per game.

WILDCATS THUMBNAIL
• The Wildcats enter Week 9 coming off a 42-17 dominant performance against N.C. Central to move into sole possession of first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The win improved the Wildcats to 6-2 overall and 5-0 in conference play.

• In 2011, Bethune-Cookman finished with a 8-3 overall record and 6-2 in the MEAC.

• Bethune’s dual QB threat of Quentin Williams and Brodrick Waters continue to wreak havoc for defenses this season. Williams, a 6-foot, 190-pounder from Tampa (Fla.) has completed 49 of 83 for 655 yards and six touchdowns with an interception. He currenlty ranks No. 2 in pass efficiency (146.8 and No. 8 in passing average (109.2/g). Waters, a 5-11, 195-pounder from Sarasota (Fla.) ranbks No 8 in pass efficiency having completed 26 of 54 passes for 258 yards and four TDs.

• Bethune-Cookman maintained its status as the national leader in turnover margin with its +2.25 per game total.

• Through the first eight games, RB Isidore Jackson (5-10, 205) has been the leading rusher in the Wildcats’ high-octane offense. The junior from Mossey Head (Fla.) has recorded 126 carries for 707 yards (5.6 avg), including seven TDs.  He rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns against N.C. Central last Saturday.

• MSU’s offense will have to account for the Wildcat’s linebacker Jarkevis Fields. The junior currently ranks among the league leaders with 63 tackles (ranks 12th), to go along with 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

• The Bears’ defensive unit will face a Wildcats line that leads the league in rushing by averaging 235.1 per contest.

• Through eight games, the Bethune-Cookman defense ranks 3rd in the MEAC in scoring defense by limiting opponents to 19.9 points per contest and ranks 3rd in total defense (317.8/g).

JUICE UPDATE
• Travis Davidson needs to gain 107 rushing yards to surpass Craig Nelson at No. 9 on the school’s all-time rushing list. “Juice” currently has 1,537 career rushing yards.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR THIS WEEK
•  The Bears rushing for 100 yards or more for the ninth consecutive game and for the 15th straight time since their October 8, 2011 game versus Savannah State.

•  The Bears having a 300-yard passing game for the first time since October 8, 2011. In Week 6, Morgan State defeated Savannah State 44-17 and Seth Higgins, Nate Furrha and Robert Council combined for 16-of-26 passes for 318 yards and five TDs.

•  Cornerback Joe Rankin registering an interception would mark his fifth of the season and the 10th of his career.  He would need to collect six more to surpass Joe Fowlkes for the school record.  Fowlkes posted 15 INTs during his career (1975-78).

•  Running back Travis Davidson rushing for 100 yards or more for the eighth time in his career.

SENIOR DAY
Twenty-one (21) Morgan State seniors will be honored before the start of Saturday’s game.

NOVEMBER CHILL
The Bears are 10-18 in November games since the start of the 2002 season and 3-8 at home that month.

NEXT UP
After Saturday’s contest versus Bethune-Cookman, the Bears will hit the road to play against the Spartans of Norfolk State.

NORFOLK, Va. - Savannah State’s Rashad Hassan was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) men’s basketball Preseason Player of the Year, the conference announced on Thursday. The defending MEAC regular season champion Savannah State Tigers were also picked to win the 2012-13 MEAC regular season title. All awards are voted on by the conference’s head men’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.

Hassan led the Tigers in scoring with 13 points per game and started in 32 of 33 games a year ago. He ranked in the top 20 in the nation with a 57.0 field goal percentage.  As a senior Hassan averaged 14.2 points and recorded a 62.3 field goal percentage. The 2011-12 season was highlighted by three double-double performances including 20 points and 14 rebounds against Tennessee.

Savannah State received 24 first place votes and totaled 616 points to take hold of the conference’s top spot. The Tigers finished among the top five in the MEAC in several categories including scoring margin (2^nd), scoring defense (1^st), rebounding margin (1^st), assists (3^rd), steals (5^th), and assist-to-turnover ratio (5^th) a year ago. The Tigers finished the season with a 14-2 mark in MEAC play and 21-12 overall. SSU’s season concluded with a 65-51 loss to Tennessee in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The team welcomes back all five starters to this year’s campaign.

Delaware State was predicted to finish second with 525 total points. The Hornets finished with a 12-4 mark in the MEAC and 15-14 overall record last season. Morgan State was selected to finish in third while the defending MEAC champion Norfolk State Spartans were predicted to finish in fourth. Hampton was projected to finish fifth with Bethune-Cookman slated to follow at sixth place. North Carolina Central (7th), Howard (8th), North Carolina A&T (9th), Coppin State (10th), Florida A&M (11th), Maryland Eastern Shore (12th), and South Carolina State (13th) round out the 2012-13 preseason poll for the men’s basketball season.

Accompanying Hassan on the Preseason All-MEAC First Team are Tahj Tate (Delaware State), Pendarvis Williams (Norfolk State), DeWayne Jackson (Morgan State), and Ray Willis (North Carolina Central).

The 2012-13 MEAC men’s basketball season tips off on Friday, November 9 with ten MEAC teams in play.

The 2013 MEAC Basketball Tournament is slated for March 11-16 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.

BALTIMORE, Md. – Morgan State linebacker Elandon Roberts is one of 30 players named as a candidate for the 2012 FCS National Freshman Performer of the Year Watch List the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) announced today.

The watch lists are a rough guide, highlighting freshmen whose performances merit recognition. Freshmen are not preemptively eliminated from consideration, and all players are eligible for weekly, annual, and career awards at their respective positions.

Roberts, a true freshman from Port Arthur, Texas, is off to a tremendous start for his collegiate career. He was named to the Bears starting defensive unit as a linebacker during the preseason and has already posted two double-digit tackle performances.  Roberts was selected MEAC Rookie of the Week following a season-high 14 tackles in a win at North Carolina A&T (Oct. 13).

The 6-1, 225-pounder has recorded a team-high 60 tackles, including seven tackles for loss (ranked No. 11), a sack and an interception this season. He is ranked No. 6 among the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference leading tacklers.

He is averaging 8.6 tackles per game.

Previous FBS recipients include Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (2011), South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore (2010), and Oregon running back LaMichael James (2009). FCS recipients include Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke (2011) and Montana State quarterback DeNarius McGhee (2010).

GAME TIME
Morgan State (3-4, 2-2 MEAC) continues the 2012 season play in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference matchup against Delaware State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hughes Stadium.  The Hornets enter the 2012 season under the leadership of second-year head coach Kermit Blount. The Hornets (4-2, 3-1) are coming off a 24-0 shutout win at North Carolina A&T.  The Bears fell short in the final moments at Howard 21-20 in Greene Stadium.  This week’s game will be broadcast to a national audience by ESPNU.

THE BEARS-HORNETS MATCHUP 
• The Bears and Bison will meet for the 55th time since 1945. Morgan leads the series 31-23.

• Morgan State did what they had to do on a dreary, windy and rain-soaked day for the Hornet’s Homecoming. They protected a slim lead, played solid defense and ran the ball. Tracy Martin ran for a game-high 154 yards on 38 carries and scored the only points of the game, helping the Bears grind out a 12-0 victory over Delaware State. The Bears played smash-mouth football throughout most of the ballgame and simply dominated the time of possession  (39:53 – 20:07) — recording their first shutout since October 7, 2006.

• The last time the Hornets were in Hughes Stadium was on Oct. 23, 2010 … Redshirt freshman QB Delonte Williams led Morgan State on a comeback drive with under a minute remaining in the game. Williams had three interceptions – two of them returned for touchdowns – and was sacked three times. But he also led the Bears on an 8-play, 85 yard drive and threw a 34 yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Hendrix with 20 seconds on the clock. Sheldon Jacques added a two yard fumble return for a touchdown as the Bears came away with a climatic 34-24 win over the Hornets on Saturday at Hughes Stadium before an announced Homecoming crowd of 14,312 fans.

• The last time Morgan State lost to the Hornets was on Oct. 24, 2009 at Alumni Stadium … Delaware State posted 35 points against MSU, who entered the game as the No. 1 scoring defense in the MEAC, limiting teams to an average of 14 points per game. Anthony Glaud threw two touchdown passes in his return to the lineup and the Hornets intercepted three passes, one returned for a touchdown in a 35-22 victory on Saturday afternoon during DSU’s Homecoming. The loss snapped the Bears’ 5-game winning streak, the school’s longest in 30 years.

• MSU head coach Donald Hill-Eley holds a 6-4 record against Delaware State since 2002.

QUICK HITS
• Travis Davidson currently leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in rushing with 723 yards (103.3 avg/g). He also ranks No. 1 the MEAC in scoring (72 Pts).

•  QB Robert Council came off the bench against Howard and completed 11-of-20 passes for 131 yards and broke a  35-yard touchdown run.

•  Cornerback Joe Rankin registered his 9th interception of his career, picking off Savannah State quarterback Antonio Bostic in the 1st quarter…He currently leads the MEAC in INTs with four in six games…he currently ranks No. 5 in the FCS in passes defended (6 breakups and 4 INTs).

• The MSU defense has collected 10 interceptions (No. 2 in the MEAC) through the first seven games of 2012.

•  The Bears continue to be among the top scoring offenses in the league, entering Saturday’s contest as the MEAC’s No. 4 ranked scoring offense (25.1 avg/g).

•  True freshman LB Elandon Roberts currently ranks No. 6 in the MEAC in tackles by posting 60 tackles so far this season … he recorded a season-high 14 tackles against N.C A&T and was named Rookie of the Week.

•  Earvin Gonzalez currently ranks No. 1 in the MEAC and tied for No. 9 in the FCS by connecting on 10-of-15 field goals and is a perfect 20-of-20 on PATs and booted a career-high 47-yard field goal against N.C. Central.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR THIS WEEK 
• The Bears posting its third straight victory against the Hornets.

• The Bears scoring 20 or more points against Delaware State for the fifth consecutive game.

• The Bears having a 300-yard passing game for the first time since October 8, 2011. In Week 6, Morgan State defeated Savannah State 44-17 and Seth Higgins, Nate Furrha and Robert Council combined for 16-of-26 passes for 318 yards and five TDs.

• Cornerback Joe Rankin registering an interception would mark his fifth of the season and the 10th of his career. He would need to collect six more to surpass Joe Fowlkes for the school record. Fowlkes posted 15 INTs during his career (1975-78).

• Running back Travis Davidson rushing for 100 yards or more for the eighth time in his career.

• The Bears recording their 11th interception.

• Wide receiver Andrew King registering the third touchdown of his career.

• QB Robert Council has not thrown an interception since a win versus Howard on Sept. 24, 2011 … He completed 12 of 18 passes and was picked off by DL Corey Berry. He’s thrown 110 passes without an interception.

JUICE UPDATE
As a result of his 104-yard performance at Howard, Travis Davidson currently has 1,455 yards and has moved past James Fields for the No. 11 spot on the school’s all-time rushing list. He needs 56 more yards to surpass TJ Stallings (1,510 yds) for the No. 10 spot.

MSU vs. DELAWARE STATE FLASHBACK
• Oct. 25, 2003 – Morgan State head coach Donald Hill-Eley and the Bears defeated the Delaware State 53-36 in a game played at Hughes Stadium. The Bears finished the season with a 6-5 record and won four of its last five games.

DELAWARE STATE THUMBNAILS 
• In 2011, Delaware State finished with a 2-8 overall record and were 1-7 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

•  Senior QB Nick Elko leads the Hornets on offense this season. The 6-2, 210-pounder from Odenton (Md.) is the league’s leading passer (ranks No. 22 in FCS). He has completed 146 of 239 for 1,548 yards and seven touchdowns with three interceptions. He has also ranks No. 5 in pass efficiency (122.6).

• Travis Tarpley and Justin Wilson are the primary threats in Delaware State’s aerial attack.  Tarpley, a 5-7 senior from Danville (Va.), currently leads the league with 48 receptions for 585 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile Wilson, a 6-1, 175 pound senior from Windsor (Conn.) also ranks among the league leaders with 32 receptions for 390 yards and three TDs.

• Through the first seven games, RB Dae-Hon Cheung (5-10, 165) has been the  leading rusher in the Hornets’ pass happy offense. The  freshman from Coatesville (Pa.) has recorded 52 carries for 251 yards (4.7 avg), including a pair of TDs.  He posted 43 yards on 16 carries against North Carolina A&T last Saturday.

• MSU’s offense will have to account for the Hornet’s defensive back Jermond Colston. Colston currently ranks among the league leaders with 64 tackles (ranks T-4th), 2.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

• The Bears’ defensive front will face a Hornets line that’s surrendered 3 sacks during its current 3-game winning streak. Nick Elko was sacked once in a 24-0 win over North Carolina A&T on Oct. 20, but the veteran quarterback threw for 245 yards and a TD. Delaware State ranks T-3^rd in the MEAC by limiting opponents to 13 sacks in seven games played.

• Through seven games, the Delaware State defense ranks 2nd in the MEAC in scoring defense by limiting opponents to 18.4 points per contest.

MARYLAND AND DELAWARE TIES
• Senior center Jerry Evans is the only Bear on the Morgan State roster who’s from Delaware. The 6-2, 300-pounder was raised in New Castle and was an All-State lineman at Hodgson Vocational Tech.

WICKED TIMES IN OCTOBER
The Bears are 26-19 in the month of October since the 2002 season and have won 4 of their last 6 October games. The Bears are 12-10 at home and 12-11 on the road during that time in October.

NEXT UP
After Thurday’s contest versus Delaware State, the Bears will play at home against the top-ranked Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. The matchup is set for Saturday, November 3. Kickoff at 1 p.m.

GAME TIME
Morgan State (3-3, 2-1 MEAC) continues the 2012 season play in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference matchup against Howard on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at Greene Stadium. The game will mark Homecoming for Howard.  The Bison enter the 2012 season under the leadership of second-year head coach Gary “The Flea” Harrell. The Bison (4-2, 3-1) are coming off a disappointing 38-10 loss at North Carolina A&T.  The Bears fell in the last seconds to  North Carolina Central 24-20 in Hughes Stadium.

THE BEARS-BISON MATCHUP 
• The Bears and Bison will meet for the 66th time since 1931. Morgan leads the series 40-24-1.
•  Morgan State posted a 14-9 win against Howard last year at the New York Urban League Football Classic in front of 24,996 fans in attendance… redshirt-freshmanRobert Council threw the first touchdown of his career when he connected with tight end Kristian Johnson for a 3-yard score.  Council led the Bears by completing 12 of 18 passes for 119 yards.
• The last time the Bears were in Greene Stadium was on Oct. 18, 2008 … RB Devan James rushed for a career-high 219 yards and scored two touchdowns, including one in overtime to help Morgan State beat Howard 31-30 in double-overtime, handing a Howard Homecoming loss before 6,843 fans at Greene Stadium.

QUICK HITS
• Travis Davidson currently leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in rushing with 619 yards (103.2 avg/g). He also ranks No. 1 the MEAC in scoring (60 Pts).
•  QB Robert Council, making his second career start, completed 8-of-18 passes for 91 yards and was sacked three times against North Carolina Central.
•  Cornerback Joe Rankin registered his 9th interception of his career, picking off Savannah State quarterback Antonio Bostic in the 1st quarter…He currently leads the MEAC in INTs with four in six games…he also leads the league in passes defended (10).
• The MSU defense has collected 10 interceptions (FCS T-8th) through the first six games of 2012.
•  The Bears continue to be among the top scoring offenses in the league, entering Saturday’s contest as the MEAC’s No. 3 ranked scoring offense (26.0 avg/g).
•  True freshman LB Elandon Roberts currently ranks No. 7 in the MEAC in tackles by posting 53 tackles so far this season … he recorded a season-high 14 tackles against N.C A&T and was named Rookie of the Week.
•  Redshirt sophomore DE Chris Robinson posted seven tackles and two sacks vs. N.C. Central … he currently leads the MEAC with five sacks (5).
•  Travis Davidson currently has 1,351 yards and sits 101 yards away from surpassing James Fields at No. 10 on the school’s all-time rushing list.
•  Earvin Gonzalez currently ranks No. 1 in the MEAC by connecting on 10-of-14 field goals and is a perfect 18-of-18 on PATs and booted a career-high 47-yard field goal against N.C. Central.

HOWARD THUMBNAILS
• Howard ranks among the nation’s top black college football teams The Bison currently rank No. 8 in the Heritage Top 10 Poll, No. 9 in the BoxToRow HBCU Media Top 10 Poll and No. 9 in the Sheridan Poll.
• In 2011, Howard finished with a 5-6 overall record and 4-4 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
• Sophomore QB Greg McGee leads the Bison on offense this season. The 6-3, 200-pounder from Pittsburgh (Pa.) has completed 37 of 70 for 386 yards and a touchdown with four interceptions. He has also rushed for 127 yards on 35 carries (3.6 avg) with two touchdowns.
• Through the first six games, RB Aquanius Freeman (5-10, 213) has been the Bison’s leading ground gainer and is among the league’s rushing leaders (Ranked 7th). The sophomore from New Orleans, La. has recorded 57 carries for 370 yards (6.5 avg), including 5 TDs.  He was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week following a a career-high 212 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns to lead Howard to a 56-9 victory over Savannah State.
• MSU’s offense will have to account for the Bison’s All-American linebacker Keith Pough. Pough currently ranks among the league leaders with 49 tackles (ranks 3rd), 8.5 tackles for loss (ranked 2nd) and 3.5 sacks (T-7th).
• Through six games, the Howard defense has allowed 145.0 rushing yards per game, which ranks 5th in the MEAC. The Bison also rank 3rd in sacks (17) and 5th in total defense (359.2).

NEXT UP
After Saturday’s contest versus Howard, the Bears will play at home against the Delaware State Hornets. The matchup is set for Thursday, October 25 and will be televised by ESPNU. Kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

GAME TIME
Morgan State (3-2, 2-0 MEAC) continues the 2012 season play in a battle of undefeated teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference when they matchup against North Carolina Central on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at Hughes Stadium. The game will mark Homecoming for Morgan State and it will be the Bears first home contest since its home-opener on Sept. 1 against Sacred Heart.  The Eagles enter the 2012 season under the leadership of second-year head coach Henry Frazier III. The Eagles (3-2, 2-0) are coming off an impressive 40-10 win versus South Carolina State.  The Bears rolled Savannah State 45-6 in T.A. Stadium.  The game will be broadcast live by WEAA, 88.9 FM.

THE BEARS-EAGLES MATCHUP 
• The Bears and Eagles will meet for the 37th time in history. Morgan leads the series 22-12-2.
•  The Bears opened up with 42 first half points en route to a 52-3 rout at North Carolina Central last season… Travis Davidson led the Bears with142 yards on 25 carries and scored three touchdowns on runs of 49, 2 and 8 yards.
• The last time the Eagles were in Hughes Stadium was on Sept. 14, 2008 during MSU’s Homecoming…Bear RB Devan James rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown and MSU collected a school record six interceptions, en route to a 49-7 win over N.C. Central.

QUICK HITS
• Morgan State extended to a 7-0 winning streak against Savannah State, and it marked the fifth consecutive time the Bears have posted 40 or more points against the Tigers.
• Travis Davidson currently leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in rushing with 514 yards (102.8 avg/g). He also ranks No. 1 the MEAC in scoring (48 Pts).
•  QB Robert Council, made his first career start at Savannah State and completed 6-of-10 passes for 71 yards and rushed for 23 yards for Morgan State (3-2, 2-0), which hasn’t gotten off to a start this good in conference play since 2009.
•  Cornerback Joe Rankin registered his 9th interception of his career, picking off Savannah State quarterback Antonio Bostic in the 1st quarter…He’s currently tied for first place in the nation (FCS) in INTs with four in five games.
• The MSU defense has collected seven (9) interceptions (FCS T-10th) through the first five games of 2012.
•  The Bears continue to be among the top scoring offenses in the league, entering Saturday’s contest as the MEAC’s No. 4 ranked scoring offense (27.2 avg/g).
• Chris Flowers was acknowledged for his individual performance against Savannah State on Oct. 6. Flowers was named the National Kickoff Returner of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) … the redshirt junior scored on an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
• Morgan State currently leads the league in kick returns (ranked No. 11 in the FCS) by averaging 25.7 yards per return.
•  For the second time this season, MAU placekicker/punter Earvin Gonzalez has been named MEAC Special Teams Player of the Week, which was announced Monday … Gonzalez connected on 6-of-6 point after attempts, and averaged 41.6 punting yards, including a 59-yarder with two inside the 20 in the Bears’ win Saturday over Savannah State.
•  True freshman LB Elandon Roberts currently ranks No. 8 in the MEAC in tackles by posting 45 tackles so far this season … he recorded a season-high 14 tackles against N.C A&T and was named Rookie of the Week.

JUICE UPDATE
Senior RB Travis “Juice” Davidson returns as one of the top running backs in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The senior led the Bears by accounting for 125 rushing yards and three TDs against Savannah State on Oct. 6. The Redford (Mich.) product has 15 TDs in his Blue & Orange career and will continue to be one to watch.

N.C. CENTRAL THUMBNAILS
• North Carolina Central University forced five turnovers that resulted in 24 points during a 40-10 victory over South Carolina State University in the 29th annual Circle City Classic inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
• The win improved the Eagles to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
• Junior QB Jordan Reid leads the Eagles’ offensive attack. Reid ranks No. 4 in the MEAC in pass efficiency (125.5 effic.), No. 7 in passing average (123.0/g) and No. 9 in total offense (130.6/g).
• Geovonie Irvine is a bonafide threat as long as he’s on the field. The senior wideout currently ranks No. 7 in all-purpose yards and is the Eagles’ second leading receiver with eight catches for 132 yards, including two touchdowns. He has also leads the team’s special teams unit by averaging 25.3 record three punt returns for 45 yards and a touchdown
• Through the first five games, RB Andre Clarke (5-10, 213) has been the Eagles leading ground gainer. The redshirt sophomore from Mauldin, S.C. has recorded 48 carries for 305 yards (5.8 avg), including 7 TDs (Ranked 2nd in MEAC in scoring TDs).
• Through five games, the NCCU defense has allowed just 110.2 rushing yards per game, which ranks first in the MEAC and 12th among the FCS statistical leaders. The Eagles also rank T-11th in the FCS in tackles for loss with an average of 7.6 per contest.

BALTIMORE, Md. – Morgan State (2-2, 1-0 MEAC) continues Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play with a matchup at Savannah State on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Theodore A. Wright Stadium. The game will mark the fourth consecutive road contest for the Bears.

The Tigers enter the 2012 season under the leadership of second-year head coach Steve Davenport. The Tigers (0-4, 0-2) are coming off a 56-9 loss at Howard.  The Bears stunned N.C. A&T with a  21-18 win in a game that was televised live by ESPNU.

THE BEARS-TIGERS MATCHUP 
• The Bears and Tigers will meet for the 7th time in history. Morgan State leads the series 6-0 since 2000.
• Savannah State fell 44-17 at Hughes Stadium during Morgan State’s Homecoming last season. Morgan State’s Seth Higgins completed 14-of-24 passes for 239 yards and tossed four touchdowns, while backup redshirt-freshman quarterback Robert Council took his first pass of the day and delivered a 52-yard touchdown strike to tight end Lamont Bryant.
• Last year’s game also marked the first time Donald Hill-Eley coached from the pressbox.

QUICK HITS
• Morgan State’s win at N.C. A&T snapped a 2-game losing streak and the Bears racked up 373 yards of total offense, including 251 passing yards.
• Travis Davidson currently leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in rushing with 389 yards (97.2 avg/g). He also ranks No. 5 the MEAC in scoring (30 Pts/G).
•  QBs Seth Higgins and Robert Council have combined for 1,262 passing yards (99-of-159) and four touchdowns.
•  Cornerback Joe Rankin registered his 8th interception of his career, picking off N.C. A&T quarterback Lewis Kindle in the 2nd quarter…The pick gives him sole possession of first place in the MEAC in INTs with three in four games.
• The MSU defense has collected seven (7) interceptions (FCS T-12th) through the first four games of 2012.
•  The Bears continue to be among the top scoring offenses in the league, entering Saturday’s contest as the MEAC’s No. 5 ranked scoring offense (22.8 avg/g).
•  True freshman LB Elandon Roberts recorded a season-high 14 tackles and a tackle for a loss against N.C A&T…he was recently named MEAC Rookie of the Week.
•  Redshirt freshman DL Damarco Bisbee posted five tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack at N.C. A&T.
•  Punter Earvin Gonzalez registered his longest punt of his career, covering 65 yards.
•  Tight end Kristian Johnson had four receptions for 91 yards last week against N.C. A&T, including a 34-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. It marked the first touchdown of his career.
•  Wide receiver Andrew King caught a career-long 32-yard pass from Robert Council in the final seconds to help the Bears pullout a 21-18 victory at N.C. A&T…King finished the night with three receptions for 55 yards.

A WIN WOULD …
… improve the Bears to 3-2 this season.

… make the Bears 3-2 for the first time during the Donald Hill-Eley era.

… be the Bears second road win of the season, and mark its first back-to-back road wins since beating North Carolina Central  on Oct. 15, 2011 and Delaware State on October 24, 2011.

… improve Coach Hill’s record against Savannah State to 4-0 since 2003, and 2-0 at Theodore Wright Stadium.

SAVANNAH STATE THUMBNAILS
• The Tigers have employed the services of both Antonio Bostick and Victorian Hardison at the quarterback position. Bostick has completed 33-of-89 passes for 451 yards with two touchdowns, while Hardison has thrown for 137 yards on 12-of-26 passes with a touchdown.  So far this season, Bostick holds a 4-to-2 margin with Hardison in games played.
• Through the first four games, Simon Heyward has been the Tigers go-to receiver on offense.  The Savannah product has recorded 14 catches for 267 yards (19.1 avg), including 2 TDs.