Morgan State football has been unpredictable this season. At times, the Bears’ offense looks strong, but at other moments, it struggles. As they prepare to play an FBS team in Ohio this Saturday, the big question is: can they get offensive consistency before they get into the HBCU part of the season?
In their first game against Hampton, Morgan State’s offense was solid. They ran for 244 yards and scored four touchdowns. But in their next game against Towson, they could only score nine points and struggled to move the ball. The offense had just 249 total yards and allowed five sacks.
The Good and Bad of Morgan State’s Offense
Morgan State has shown two sides of its offense. Against fellow HBCU, Hampton, they ran the ball well and controlled the clock, keeping the other team off the field. However, in the Towson game, their offensive line couldn’t protect quarterback Tahj Smith. The team had trouble running the ball, and outside of one 74-yard touchdown pass, the offense was quiet.
What Morgan State Needs to Do to Beat FBS Ohio
Ohio is coming off a 27-20 win over South Alabama and has a balanced team. To beat Ohio, Morgan State needs to bring their best game. Here are the key things they must do:
- Run the Ball Early: Ohio allows 120 rushing yards per game, giving Morgan State a chance to use their running backs to control the game. Myles Miree, Keith Jenkins Jr., and Jason Collins should run the ball often, just like they did against Hampton.
- Protect the Quarterback: Tahj Smith can make plays with his arm and legs, but only if he has time. The offensive line must do a better job protecting him than they did against Towson. Ohio’s defense will be looking to pressure Smith, so the line needs to step up.
- Avoid Penalties and Mistakes: Mistakes have hurt Morgan State in both games. Penalties stalled their drives against Towson, and they can’t afford that against Ohio. If Morgan plays a clean game, they have a better chance of winning.
- Convert on Third Downs: Morgan State struggled on third downs, converting only 4 of 12 against Towson. They need to improve this if they want to keep their drives going and wear down Ohio’s defense.
Can Morgan State Be Consistent?
Morgan State has the talent to be successful vs an FBS team, but they need to be more consistent. Their offense has shown it can be powerful, but it has also disappeared in key moments. If they can play with the same balance they showed against Hampton, they have a chance to upset Ohio.
This game will show whether Morgan State is ready to compete at a higher level or if their offense will continue to struggle. HBCU fans will be watching closely to see if the Bears can find consistency and put together a strong performance against Ohio.