Image via Kobe Scales (Derrach West after 31-yard touchdown pass to Brogan Korta.)

By Kobe Scales Sports Editor

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – In the Toyota HBCU NY Classic, Morehouse lost their third game of the season Saturday, 24-14, against their first divisional opponent, Albany State. The Maroon Tigers suffered another major loss when backup quarterback Jaylon West was carried off the field on a cart after the first play of the second half.

West, who had been one of the main bright spots on offense for the Maroon Tigers, was finally finding his groove. Weeks ago, coach Gerard Wilcher said that he would find many ways to get West involved in the offense due to his extreme athleticism.

West suffered a brutal blow to the head as he returned the second-half kickoff, which resulted in him being carted off the field. Albany State’s Ahman Ross, who had tackled West, received a targeting penalty and was ejected from the game.

“No official word [on West’s condition]; they told me he’s doing OK,” Wilcher said after the game. “It’s crazy, football’s a tough game. We really wanted to use Jaylon’s athletic ability in some other places, and we started doing that.

“I don’t think the Albany State player was trying to be cheap by any means. It’s a bang, bang play; he caught [West] just right. Again, football is a tough sport.”

In a text to this reporter, a teammate of West wrote, “He’s in good condition, out of the hospital and back with the team.” Athletic director Harold Ellis could not be reached to confirm that.

The positive story of the day for the Maroon Tigers was their defense. The defense held strong through three quarters but gave up an untimely touchdown with 4:50 left in the fourth quarter to make the score 24-14. The Tigers’ record fell to 0-3, 0-1 SIAC; Albany State is 1-2; 1-0 SIAC.

Only giving up 24 points in a college football game is not a bad day. However, Morehouse’s offense struggled to put points on the board.

Morehouse quarterback Derrach West threw two touchdown passes, the first on a 31-yard pass to Brogan Korta, the second on a 7-yard pass to Marqueiz Pride. But what seemed like a much more efficient day for Derrach West, who struggled in losses to Howard and Virginia Union, would not amount to a win.

West threw for 157 yards and Zion Bouie led the team in rushing with 83 yards on 20 carries. Daylon Land led the team in tackles for the third week in a row with a game-high 16.

The Maroon Tigers will be on the road for the fourth week in a row when they take on Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida.

Edited by Ron Thomas, MT Advisor