Freshman Running Back Rayquan Smith running out in space. Photo courtesy of Nick Sutton/Kinetic Stills.

by Maya Dawson, sports editor

Norfolk State University shutout the Morgan State University Bears for this year’s homecoming game. They hosted the Bears after losing to Bethune-Cookman 22-35 on October 19th. 

On the Spartans first drive junior Juwan Carter threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman Da’Kendall James from their own 20-yard line to start their high powered offense in the first half.

The Bears had an interception on four of their first five drives. Three of those interceptions resulted in 17 points for the Spartans. A Josh Nardone 30-yard field goal, a Kevin Johnson 4 yard touchdown run, and a touchdown pass from Juwan Carter to Justin Smith for 25 yards were capitalized off of the turnovers to put the Spartans up 24-0 at the beginning of the 2nd quarter.

The defense was like a brick wall tonight only allowing 78 rushing yards and 75 yards passing yards all game. They only allowed for 8 passes to be completed out of 26 attempts, with no scores. They also forced 3 fumbles and didn’t allow the Bears to reach the redzone not even once. 

Freshman Devyn Coles had the two interceptions in the first quarter that set up the Spartans. Senior Nigel Chavis had a career high in tackles tonight with 12. He led the defense tonight and they kept up their intensity up all game never letting off the gas. Redshirt senior Nigel Quinerly had 9 tackles and 1 interception, which he returned for 48 yards for the score in the 4th quarter to put the final score on the board. The Spartans had a total of 24 points off of turnovers.

After a bad snap causes Morgan State to turnover the ball over on downs, the Spartans used this opportunity to add unto the score. Juwan Carter runs 14 yards for his only rushing touchdown of the game to put the Spartans up 31-0 at halftime.

In a 10-play, 43 yard drive the Spartans scored off of a touchdown pass from Carter to Tylan McElhenie for 8 yards to go up 38-0 in the 3rd quarter.

At the beginning of the 4th quarter Josh Nardone’s 30 yard kick was good to add on to the score making it 41-0. On the next Morgan State drive DeAndre threw an interception that was taken to the house by Nhyre’ Quinerly.

The Spartans offensively were on fire with 6 touchdowns and 2 field goals. Juwan Carter was responsible for four of the six touchdowns. He had 3 passing and 1 rushing touchdown. Freshman Rayquan Smith was the difference maker in the game. He had 167 all-purpose yards for the Spartans tonight.

Morgan State’s Dion “DJ” Golatt Jr. was 5 of 16 for 58 yards with 3 interceptions and a sack. Bears DeAndre Harris was also 3 of 10 for 17 yards with 2 interceptions.

The Spartans (3-6, 2-3 in the MEAC) won the game 48-0 over the Morgan State Bears (1-8, 1-5 MEAC). The next home game is against South Carolina State on November 23 at 1pm.