Morgan State Bears football

History

Eddie Hurt era (1929–1959)

Coach Edward P. Hurt took over the Morgan Bears football team in 1929. The next year his teams won the first of the 14 CIAA championships they would win with him at the helm. More importantly, Hurt, and his assistant coach Talmadge L. Hill, built a program that allowed black athletes to show case their talents where such a venue had been non-existent before. From 1931 to 1938, Hurt coached the Bears to a 54-game win streak without a single loss. During his tenure, Morgan's football teams completed 11 seasons undefeated and, in the 1943 season, opponents failed to score a single point against the Bears. Hurt is a member of the HBCU coaches Hall of Fame and in 1952 Morgan named its new $1 million gymnasium facility after him.

Earl "Papa Bear" Banks era (1960–1973)

Earl Banks succeeded Hurt and took Morgan football to the next level. Banks was the Head coach from 1960 to 1973. He coached the Bears to a 31-game winning streak, three unbeaten regular seasons, four CIAA titles, a MEAC championship, and four bowl games. Twice during his tenure, Morgan led the nation in total defense. 35 of Bank's players went on to play in the NFL, including Pro Football Hall of Famers Leroy Kelly and Willie Lanier; two more players played professional ball in the CFL. Banks was inducted into five sports Halls of Fame including the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

Modern era (1974–present)

Only two coaches have had winning records at Morgan since the departure of Banks at the end of the 1973 season. The Bears had suffered 23 straight seasons with a losing record until the arrival of former coach Donald Hill-Eley whose first team had a 7–5 record in the 2002 season. Lee Hull was named head coach on January 8, 2014 and his first team would also finish with a 7–5 record, would win a share of the MEAC championship and played in the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs where they would lose to Richmond in the first round.

Classifications

• 1956–1972: NCAA College Division
• 1973–1985: NCAA Division II
• 1986–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS

Conference memberships

• 1899–1928: Independent
• 1929–1970: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
• 1971–1979: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
• 1980–1983: Independent
• 1984–present: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

Historic first

• 1976, Morgan State played Grambling State in the first American college football game in Asia. Morgan State lost 42–16 in Tokyo, Japan.

Championships

National

Morgan State claims seven Black college football national championships.

Conference championships

Morgan State has won 23 conference championships.

† co-champions

Rivals

Morgan State and Howard participate in the Howard–Morgan State football rivalry.

Towson and Morgan State share a rivalry called The Battle for Greater Baltimore.

Playoff appearances

NCAA Division I-AA/FCS

The Bears have made one appearance in the Division I-AA/FCS playoffs, with a combined record of 0–1.

NCAA Division II

The Bears made one appearance in the Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 0–1.

Head coaches

Notable alumni

Fifty three former Morgan players have gone on to play professional football. Thirty nine players went to the NFL, eight to the CFL, three to the WFL and one each to the AAFC, the Arena Football League and the AIFA. At least one player has gone to the NFL every decade since 1950 from Morgan State.

Former Morgan Bears Len Ford, Leroy Kelly, Willie Lanier and Rosey Brown are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of January 29, 2026

References

References

1. "Morgan State Historical Data". [[College Football Data Warehouse]].
2. "Morgan State University Directory". The Sports Network.
3. (2007). "Morgan State University Football Media Guide". Morgan State University.
4. Wade, Herman L.. (2004-06-01). "Run From There". Word Association.
5. Jennifer, Jacob. (2002-03-22). "Morgan Legend: Eddie P. Hurt". The Spokesman (University's newspaper).
6. "Hall Of Fame Induction List". The Onnidan Group.
7. "Earl C. Banks". Morgan State University Sports Information.
8. Rhoden, William C.. (1992-12-05). "Sports of The Times; Weaving Threads Of History". The New York Times.
9. {{College Football HoF
10. "NCAA Statistics".
11. "Final 1985 Division II Cumulative Football Statistics Report".
12. Huggins, Gerald J.. (September 23, 2016). "Back in the day: 40 years ago, Morgan State and Grambling played in Tokyo". [[Andscape]].
13. "History & Records". Morgan State University Athletics.
14. Wilbon, Michael. (November 21, 1980). "Howard-Morgan State: The Game". The Washington Post.
15. Freeman, Rasheim. (October 2, 2005). "Rivalry And Revelry". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
16. . (September 25, 2011). ["Howard & Morgan Take Rivalry North to a Big Stage in the Big Apple"](http://afro.com/howard-morgan-take-rivalry-north-to-a-big-stage-in-the-big-apple/). *[[Baltimore Afro-American*.
17. "Towson-Morgan State 'Battle for Greater Baltimore' football series to resume Sept. 2".
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53. "All-Time Players: Cliff Johnson". NFL Enterprises.
54. "Team Roster: Cliff Louis". 2008 Cleveland Browns.
55. "Team Roster: Chad Simpson". 2009 NFL Enterprises.
56. "Team Roster: Joshua Miles". 2019 NFL Enterprises.
57. "Future Morgan State Bears Football Schedules". FBSchedules.com.