Box Score BALTIMORE, MD—The South Carolina State Bulldogs dropped a tough, 24-21, defeat to Morgan State in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play Saturday at Hughes Stadium.

South Carolina State falls to 7-4 overall, 5-2 in the MEAC, while Morgan State improves to 6-5 overall, 5-2 in the league.

"It was a very tough loss—we couldn't make anything happen and we didn't play well enough to win the game," said SC State head coach Buddy Pough.  "We gave them too many opportunities because we couldn't do anything on offense."

Junior running back Jalen Simmons became the Bulldogs first 1,000 yard rusher since Will Ford back in 2009. Simmons entering today's contest needed only five yards to reach the career milestone, he  finished with 21 carries for 82 yards on the day.

Morgan State racked up 448-yards total offense on 86 plays, while SC State finished with 207. This was the first home win for MSU against South Carolina State since 1974 and first wins since 2002.

Redshirt junior quarterback Moses Skillon (6-5, 230) had a career day in the air for Morgan State throwing 43-of-25-2 for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Andrew King had a tremendous day receiving with 11 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown.

The Bulldogs defense was spearheaded by redshirt freshman Darius Leonard who finished with a game-high 14.5 tackles, while teammate redshirt sophomore defensive back Phillip Henry  added eight tackles and an interception for 61-yards.

SC State scored first on a 1-yard punch by redshirt sophomore Justin Taylor with 2:39 remaining late in the first quarter. The Bears responded with a 44-yard field goal by redshirt sophomore  Chris Moller, followed by a 55-yard bomb from Skillon to King with 4:31 remaining to give MSU a 10-7 lead at halftime.

Taylor's 3-yard run was the only score in the third quarter, but gave the Bulldogs a 14-10 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Skillon responded connecting with Ladarious Spearman (6-3, 210) for an 18-yard touchdown reception to give Morgan State a 17-14 lead at the 12:09 mark.

Junior defensive back Antonio Hamilton gave the Bulldogs hope with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 12:07 left. MSU would rally back with an 8 play 46 yard drive to set up a 9-yard run by senior Moses Skillon for a score with 00:58 remaining in regulation.

SC State will play their final regular season home contest Saturday (Nov.22) against Norfolk State at O.C. Dawson Stadium. Kickoff Is 1:30 p.m.