{"id":5070,"date":"2026-10-24T15:46:22","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T15:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/?p=5070"},"modified":"2026-10-25T16:33:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T16:33:08","slug":"morgan-state-and-howard-take-beltway-rivalry-to-overtime-at-hughes-stadium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/?p=5070","title":{"rendered":"Morgan State and Howard Take Beltway Rivalry to Overtime at Hughes Stadium"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Story & Photos by Shawn Payne<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game Date: October 24, 2026 | Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland | MEAC Football<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BALTIMORE \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgan State entered at 5\u20132, looking to respond after a 25\u201316 loss at Tennessee State ended a four-game winning streak. Damon Wilson\u2019s Bears had put together a promising opening stretch, but their conference campaign would begin against an opponent that had repeatedly made this matchup difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Howard arrived at 3\u20134 following a 31\u201317 homecoming victory over Morehouse. The Bison had scored twice in the fourth quarter to settle that contest, giving first-year head coach Ted White\u2019s team momentum heading into Baltimore. There was also unfinished business for Morgan State after Howard claimed the previous season\u2019s meeting 33\u201327 in overtime at Greene Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u20130 advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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\u20136.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s extra point moved the Bears ahead 13\u20136 and gave the home side its first touchdown of the afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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\u20136 lead and had placed Howard under pressure to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That response came with Isaiah Freeman directing the Bison offense after starting quarterback Ja\u2019Shawn Scroggins left injured. Freeman finished a seven-play, 43-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, cutting Morgan State\u2019s advantage to 20\u201313 with 7:46 remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Howard\u2019s 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\u2019s four-yard touchdown pass. Conord\u2019s extra point tied the game at 20\u201320 with 3:09 left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither team scored again in regulation. For the second consecutive season, the rivalry would be decided in overtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgan State took possession first, but the decisive play belonged to Howard\u2019s defense. Ben Chandler IV intercepted Edge and returned the ball 87 yards for a touchdown, ending the game immediately and completing the Bison\u2019s comeback. Howard had scored the final 20 points to turn a two-touchdown deficit into a 26\u201320 victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Edge finished with 195 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Keith Jenkins Jr. led Morgan State\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Howard improved to 4\u20134 overall and 1\u20130 in the MEAC. Morgan State fell to 5\u20133 and 0\u20131, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final score and scoring<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Howard 26, Morgan State 20 \u2014 Overtime<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgan State<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n