Morgan State stuns Richmond for its first season-opening win in 11 years beating the Spiders 17-10

Sep 3, 2023, 07:45 am

RICHMOND, Va. -- — Jarin Davis ran for 73 yards and Jabriel Johnson's 10-yard touchdown run with 6:24 left gave Morgan State a 17-10 win over Richmond on Saturday in a season opener for both teams.

Beckett Leary's 38-yard field goal evened it for the Bears at 10-all with 10:39 remaining. From there, all Richmond could muster was a pair of punts sandwiched around a fumble that gave Morgan State a short field setting up Johnson's touchdown.

Morgan State linebacker Erick Hunter knocked the ball from Richmond quarterback Kyle Wickersham just before he released a pass.

A chance at a potential game-tying drive failed when Savon Smith dropped the ball trying to receive a punt with 2:12 left. Morgan State took over at the Spiders' 34-yard line and killed the clock.

Wickersham threw for 169 yards and ran for 39 yards and a touchdown. His scoring run from the 1 put Richmond ahead 7-0 with 9:45 left in the first quarter.

After Richmond's 12-play, 75-yard drive that lasted 5:15, Morgan State countered with a nine-play, 63-yard drive that lasted 3:35 and ended with Carson Baker's 1-yard touchdown plunge.

The game marked the Bears first season-opening victory since Sept. 1, 2012 when they beat Sacred Heart 30-27 in quadruple overtime.

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