BALTIMORE — Conference play brought a familiar rival to Hughes Stadium on Saturday as Morgan State welcomed Howard for its annual Hall of Fame Game. With both teams beginning their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schedules, the afternoon offered an opportunity to turn a rivalry win into an early step forward in the conference race.

Morgan State entered at 5–2, looking to respond after a 25–16 loss at Tennessee State ended a four-game winning streak. Damon Wilson’s Bears had put together a promising opening stretch, but their conference campaign would begin against an opponent that had repeatedly made this matchup difficult.

Howard arrived at 3–4 following a 31–17 homecoming victory over Morehouse. The Bison had scored twice in the fourth quarter to settle that contest, giving first-year head coach Ted White’s team momentum heading into Baltimore. There was also unfinished business for Morgan State after Howard claimed the previous season’s meeting 33–27 in overtime at Greene Stadium.

The opening quarter belonged to the Bears on the scoreboard, although Howard kept them out of the end zone. Alex Amaya converted a 42-yard field goal with 9:30 remaining, then added another from 29 yards to give Morgan State a 6–0 advantage.

Howard responded through its own kicking game. Matt Conord connected from 38 yards early in the second quarter before adding a 27-yard field goal with 56 seconds left before halftime. Neither offense had produced a touchdown, and the teams headed into the break level at 6–6.

Morgan State found the breakthrough in the third quarter. Cameron Edge connected with Joseph Towler for a 36-yard touchdown, finishing a five-play, 50-yard possession with 4:48 remaining. Amaya’s extra point moved the Bears ahead 13–6 and gave the home side its first touchdown of the afternoon.

The Bears followed with another productive drive that carried into the fourth quarter. Edge found Alex Simmons for a 14-yard touchdown with 13:26 left, completing an eight-play, 67-yard march. With the extra point, Morgan State held a 20–6 lead and had placed Howard under pressure to respond.

That response came with Isaiah Freeman directing the Bison offense after starting quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins left injured. Freeman finished a seven-play, 43-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, cutting Morgan State’s advantage to 20–13 with 7:46 remaining.

Howard’s defense then forced a punt, giving Freeman another opportunity. The Bison traveled 59 yards in seven plays, with Billy Roberson II contributing to the ground attack before catching Freeman’s four-yard touchdown pass. Conord’s extra point tied the game at 20–20 with 3:09 left.

Neither team scored again in regulation. For the second consecutive season, the rivalry would be decided in overtime.

Morgan State took possession first, but the decisive play belonged to Howard’s defense. Ben Chandler IV intercepted Edge and returned the ball 87 yards for a touchdown, ending the game immediately and completing the Bison’s comeback. Howard had scored the final 20 points to turn a two-touchdown deficit into a 26–20 victory.

Edge finished with 195 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Keith Jenkins Jr. led Morgan State’s rushing attack with 82 yards. The Bears, however, were left to reflect on a fourth-quarter lead they could not protect and penalties that repeatedly disrupted their offense.

Howard improved to 4–4 overall and 1–0 in the MEAC. Morgan State fell to 5–3 and 0–1, with a quick turnaround before hosting South Carolina State on Thursday, October 29. An afternoon that had offered the Bears a strong start to conference play instead ended with another painful overtime chapter in their Beltway rivalry.

Final score and scoring

Howard 26, Morgan State 20 — Overtime

Morgan State

• Alex Amaya — 42-yard field goal, first quarter, 9:30.
• Alex Amaya — 29-yard field goal, first quarter, 2:13.
• Joseph Towler — 36-yard touchdown reception from Cameron Edge, third quarter, 4:48.
• Alex Simmons — 14-yard touchdown reception from Cameron Edge, fourth quarter, 13:26.
• Alex Amaya — two extra points.

Howard

• Matt Conord — 38-yard field goal, second quarter, 14:11.
• Matt Conord — 27-yard field goal, second quarter, 0:56.
• Isaiah Freeman — two-yard touchdown run, fourth quarter, 7:46.
• Billy Roberson II — four-yard touchdown reception from Isaiah Freeman, fourth quarter, 3:09.
• Ben Chandler IV — 87-yard interception return for a touchdown, overtime.
• Matt Conord — two extra points.

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