By AFRO Staff
Bears linebacker George Howard recorded a game-high 17 tackles (13 solo) against Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 3. (Courtesy Photo/MSU)
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(October 8, 2009) - The Morgan State Bears are off to their first 3-1 start since 1996 after beating the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, 24-13, on Oct. 3 at Daytona Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla.
But MSU wouldn’t have gained its third straight win last Saturday if it wasn’t for an outstanding performance by the Bears’ defensive unit led by senior linebacker George Howard.
Howard was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 5 for his excellent play against the Wildcats. The 6-foot-1, 245-pound native of Chesapeake, Va., recorded a game-high 17 tackles (13 solo) against BCC; it was the third consecutive game he had at least 17 tackles, and the third straight week he received the MEAC honor. Howard now ranks No. 1 in the entire Football Championship Subdivision with 60 total tackles after just four games.
Joining Howard was Morgan State place kicker Kemar Scarlett, who was selected as the MEAC Specialty Player of the Week. Scarlett booted a 48-yard field goal and was 3 for 3 on extra-point tries. He also averaged more than 65 yards on five kickoffs during the game. Howard, Scarlett and the Bears will now try to improve to 4-1 when they take on North Carolina A&T at Hughes Stadium on Oct. 10 during Morgan State’s homecoming.