BALTIMORE, Md. — Norfolk State turned the ball over six times and managed a single touchdown in a 17-7 loss to Morgan State on Saturday at Hughes Stadium.
The Spartans outgained the Bears 321-315 but lost three fumbles and threw three interceptions. Morgan State converted two of those giveaways into 10 points.
Norfolk State falls to 4-7 overall and 0-4 in MEAC play, and has lost four straight. Morgan State improves to 6-5 and 1-3.
Scoreless through 30 minutes, almost
Neither team scored until a minute remained in the first half.
Norfolk State had the better of the opening quarter, driving to the Morgan State 12 after Jordan Saunders intercepted Ade Olanegan in the end zone and returned it 24 yards. But the Spartans were stopped on fourth-and-2 at the 12 when Ravon Moore Jr. was dropped for a one-yard loss.
With 1:50 left in the half, Deljay Bailey broke a 12-yard run and was stripped by Raquane Matthews, who recovered at the Norfolk State 27. Keith Jenkins Jr. ran 21 yards on the next snap, and Olanegan scored from four yards out with 1:00 to play for a 7-0 lead.
The half ended with Bailey sacked and fumbling again, this time at the Morgan State 44.
A tie, then a 57-yard answer
Norfolk State opened the second half with its best drive of the day — eight plays, 54 yards, capped by Jalyn Daniels' 5-yard touchdown run at 10:43 of the third quarter. The drive was kept alive by DaJean Golmond's 37-yard completion to Elyjah Mitchell to the Morgan State 5.
It stayed 7-7 for about seven minutes.
Golmond was intercepted by Jayden Jackson at the Morgan State 25 with 3:00 left in the third. Five plays later, on third-and-2 from his own 43, Jenkins broke loose for 57 yards and the go-ahead touchdown with 43 seconds remaining in the quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, Jason Wonodi fumbled and Morgan State recovered at the Norfolk State 29.
The drive that turned into three points the other way
Trailing 14-7 in the fourth, Norfolk State put together a 66-yard drive to the Morgan State 7, helped by a 27-yard completion to Kam'Ryn Thomas, a 17-yard Daniels run and an unnecessary roughness penalty.
A pass interference call on Thomas pushed the Spartans back to the 17. On the next snap, Anthony Chuman intercepted Golmond at the 20 and returned it 55 yards to the Norfolk State 25.
Alex Amaya's 24-yard field goal with 3:15 to play made it 17-7.
Golmond was intercepted a third time, by Matthews, with 1:56 remaining. Morgan State ran out the clock.
By the numbers
Norfolk State finished with 321 yards on 64 plays. Bailey completed 9 of 14 for 38 yards and led the team in rushing with 61 yards on eight carries. Golmond went 12-of-21 for 165 yards with the three interceptions.
Daniels ran 10 times for 47 yards and the touchdown and caught six passes for 21 yards. Mitchell led the receivers with four catches for 79 yards. Thomas added three for 45.
The Spartans were 6-for-14 on third down, 0-for-3 on fourth down and 1-for-3 in the red zone. They were sacked four times for 30 yards and flagged 10 times for 74.
The defense held up
Morgan State scored 17 points despite six Norfolk State giveaways and a 31:16 edge in possession.
The Spartans held the Bears to 3-of-13 on third down and intercepted Olanegan twice — Saunders in the end zone in the first quarter and Caleb Turner at the Norfolk State 47 in the second. Dantey Menard forced a fumble in the second quarter that Morgan State recovered.
Jeremiah Henry led Norfolk State with seven tackles and two tackles for loss. Saunders, Rontravious Perry and Josiah Davis had six apiece. Quintin Goins recorded the team's only sack, a two-yard loss on third down in the fourth quarter that forced a punt.
Jenkins ran 17 times for 159 yards and a score for Morgan State. Olanegan completed 14 of 26 for 107 yards with no touchdowns and the two interceptions.
GAME NOTES
- Norfolk State committed six turnovers — three lost fumbles and three interceptions — to Morgan State's two
- The Spartans outgained Morgan State 321-315 and lost by 10
- Seven points is Norfolk State's lowest output of the season
- The Spartans were shut out in the first, second and fourth quarters
- Morgan State scored 10 points directly off turnovers
- Norfolk State was 0-for-3 on fourth down and 1-for-3 in the red zone, reaching the Morgan State 12 and the Morgan State 7 without points
- Morgan State converted 3 of 13 third downs and 2 of 2 on fourth down
- Keith Jenkins Jr. ran for 159 yards on 17 carries, including a 57-yard touchdown
- Deljay Bailey led Norfolk State in rushing with 61 yards on eight carries
- Jordan Saunders intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it 24 yards, his third interception in two games
- Norfolk State has lost four straight and is 0-4 in MEAC play
- The Spartans are 4-7 with one game remaining — Senior Day against Howard on Nov. 21
UP NEXT
Norfolk State closes the season at home against Howard on Saturday, Nov. 21, at noon on ESPN+. It is Senior Day at William "Dick" Price Stadium.
