HERO Sports welcomes you to "Two-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 125 FCS programs, with two being released each day from June 18 to August 18 (with the final day having three in one day). Today we give you … Morgan State.
[divider]MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Compare Any Two FCS Teams [divider]
FCS TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW: The countdown
FCS PRESEASON TOP 25: The poll
FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA: The teams
MORGAN STATE (1-10)
The MEAC (MSU was 11th in MEAC in 2017)
COACH: Ernest T. Jones (first year)
2017 OFFENSE: 19.5 ppg (94th in FCS)
2017 DEFENSE: 36.8 ppg (114th in FCS)
SUM IT UP: In the last 15 years, Morgan State has had two winning seasons (2009 and 2014). So what are the positives coming into the 2018 season that would lead one to believe that trend is ending? Well, 15 starters return, as well as 37 letterwinners. If recruiting is any kind of indication of what is going on with the Bears' program, that's another good sign as Morgan State is already in the double digits for the 2019 signing class — and this preview is being written in July. Recruiting doesn't work unless there is an energy there, and in this case — an energy of positive change. There are playmakers on this roster. Can they put it together in this spread offensive attack and a 4-3 defense that has some negative-yardage machines on the roster?
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: First things first — let's move Morgan State from last place in the MEAC and win some league games. In the last four games/losses of 2017, Morgan State was never blown out — all of the games were relatively close. The program should play off of the fact they were in all of those games and have 15 starters back. September is a tough stretch of schedule, but there are wins to be had in October and November.
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BEST FCS PLAYER BY NUMBER: We count down, No. 99 through No. 1[divider]
TOP RETURNEE: DL Malachi Washington (2nd Team All MEAC – 16 TFLs, 8 sacks)
THE NEXT BEST: DB Carl Garnes (3rd Team All MEAC); LB Rico Kennedy (3rd Team All MEAC – 19.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, 4 FF); WR Mannasah Bailey (37 catches, 610 yards, 6 TDs); QB DeAndre Harris (781 yards passing, 10 TDs); OL Joshua Miles (returning starter)
TOP NEWCOMER: WR Brendan Easley (6-foot-5 pass target also had a Marshall offer)
DID YOU KNOW?: Four members of the NFL Hall of Fame attended Morgan State – Willie Lanier, Roosevelt Brown, Leroy Kelly, and Len Ford.
THE QUOTE: "I am excited about the progress the team has made during the preparation leading up to this year's spring game. The team is more unified, more disciplined, and have a great understanding of who we are as team. This by far has been a very productive spring as the offense has limited there turnover's by protecting the football. The offense has developed a physical identity while taking advantage of the opportunities that the defense presents to them. The defense has become a better tackling team and has limited the big play opportunity. The special teams are a team favorite as all players are competing for positions on all special teams." — coach Ernest T. Jones said during the spring
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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
THE HASHTAG: #TheMorganWay
FOOTBALL TWITTER: @MsuBearFootball
FOOTBALL is a Great Deal like #Life in that it TEACHES that Work, Sacrifice, Perseverance, Competitive Drive, Selflessness, and RESPECT for #Authority is the Price that each and every one of us MUST PAY TO ACHIEVE ANY GOAL WORTHWHILE!#NextBearIn#ItsANewDay
pic.twitter.com/Z0Ev3Q9ex0— MorganStateFootball (@MsuBearFootball) May 29, 2018
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FCS QB TRANSFERS: Who Tops The List?
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PREVIEWING THE REST OF THE MEAC
Beth.-Cookman | Delaware St. | Florida A&M
Howard | Morgan St. | Norfolk St.
N.C. A&T | N.C. Central | Savannah St. | S.C. State
