Tahj Smith hit Jaden Coffen with a 25-yard pass in overtime and Morgan State denied Norfolk State a two-point conversion to preserve a 38-37 win in a MEAC battle on Saturday afternoon.
Sahr Gbundema, who kicked the all-important extra point in overtime, connected on a 47-yard field goal with 22 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 31 and force overtime.
Norfolk State (3-7, 1-2) built a 24-3 lead minutes into the second quarter, but Smith’s nine-yard strike to Andre Crawley in the final minute of the first half made it 24-16 at intermission.
Myles Miree scored from the 1 late in the third quarter to pull Morgan State within two, 24-22 after Smith’s try for a two-point conversion fell incomplete.
an entertaining end to our battle against the spartans#MorganStateFB #GoBears
pic.twitter.com/RxUkWqSN2f
— Morgan State Football (@MSUBearsFB) November 3, 2024
Jadon Carter returned a blocked Norfolk State field goal attempt 77 yards to put the Bears in front to start the fourth quarter, 28-24. Daniels found Elyja Mitchell with a 10-yard pass midway through the period to give the Spartans their final lead, 31-28.
Smith completed 19 of 28 pass attempts for 179 yards and carried six times for another 38 to lead Morgan State (4-5, 1-1).
Elijah Williams picked up a sack in overtime, giving him 29 for his career and breaking the Morgan State record held previously by Christopher Robinson, who compiled 28.5 sacks with the Bears.
Spartans QB Jalen Daniels finished 13 of 18 for 244 yards and two touchdowns to lead Norfolk State.
