Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to what’s happening at Hughes Stadium lately, you’re missing one of the most interesting rebuilds in HBCU football. Damon Wilson is entering his fourth year as head coach, and the vibe in Baltimore is shifting. People keep asking about the morgan state bears football schedule because they want to know if this is the year the Bears finally break through the MEAC glass ceiling.
Last season was a rollercoaster. A 6-6 finish is basically the definition of "almost there," but those who watched the games saw a defense that could flatten people and an offense that was just one or two plays away from turning a loss into a win.
Breaking Down the Upcoming Matchups
Looking at the 2025 and 2026 slates, the university isn't shying away from big tests. They opened 2025 against South Alabama, a tough FBS opponent, which is always a "welcome to the season" punch in the mouth. But the real meat of the schedule—the stuff that determines if the season is a success—is the MEAC run.
The 2025 schedule featured some massive home stands. On September 6, we saw the Battle for Greater Baltimore against Towson. It’s always personal when those two schools meet. Then you’ve got the October 11 Homecoming game against Virginia University of Lynchburg. If you’ve never been to a Morgan State Homecoming, you haven't lived. The football is just one part of a massive cultural moment.
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For the 2026 season, things get even more ambitious. We’re looking at a huge road trip to Arizona State on September 5. Taking an HBCU squad into a Power 4 stadium in Tempe is a massive payday for the program, sure, but it's also a high-stakes spotlight for the players.
The Games That Define the Season
- The Battle for Greater Baltimore: Towson and Morgan. It's local pride on the line every September.
- The Circle City Classic: This 2025 matchup against Miles College in Indianapolis (Lucas Oil Stadium) was a huge neutral-site win that showed the Bears can travel.
- The MEAC Gauntlet: November is where things get real. Matchups against South Carolina State and North Carolina Central usually decide who’s going to the Celebration Bowl.
- The Rivalry: You can’t talk about the schedule without the Howard game. It's the season finale for a reason.
Who is Stepping Up This Year?
A schedule is just dates on a calendar until you put people on the field. Raymond Moore III has been a revelation at quarterback. He took home MEAC Rookie of the Year honors in 2025, and for good reason. He’s a dual-threat guy who can hurt you with his legs just as easily as his arm.
On the defensive side, Erick Hunter is the name everyone scouts. He’s a Buck Buchanan Award finalist for a reason. Having a linebacker who can rack up 100+ tackles in a season makes a defensive coordinator’s life a lot easier. Blanche Gold is another one to watch; he led the team in sacks and basically lived in the opponent's backfield last year.
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Why the 2026 Schedule Matters Even More
The 2026 morgan state bears football schedule includes a home-and-home series with North Carolina A&T. This is a classic rivalry being rekindled, and starting that series on the road in Greensboro on August 29 will be an early litmus test for the squad's maturity.
Success for this program isn't just about winning games; it's about consistency. For years, Morgan was the team people overlooked. Not anymore. Coach Wilson has brought a "blue-collar" mentality to Baltimore. You see it in the way they play—physical, aggressive, and usually exhausting for the other team.
Navigating the MEAC Standings
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a shark tank. You’ve got South Carolina State, who always seems to be at the top, and North Carolina Central, who has been dominant lately. Morgan State finished 3-2 in conference play last year, which put them right in the mix but just outside the top spot.
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To win the conference, they have to win the games they "should" win and steal one from the big dogs. The losses to South Carolina State and NC Central were the difference between a bowl game and staying home.
What to Watch For
- Quarterback Progression: Can Moore III cut down the interceptions and lead the league in passing efficiency?
- Road Warriors: The 2026 schedule is heavy on away games, including Villanova and Towson. They need to prove they can win in hostile environments.
- The Kicking Game: Last season had some nail-biters. Special teams often decide the close MEAC games.
If you're planning to head to Hughes Stadium, get your tickets early for the October matchups. The atmosphere is unmatched, especially when the band—the Magnificent Marching Machine—takes the field.
The growth of this program is real. It's not just hype. When you look at the morgan state bears football schedule, you see a team that is being built to compete with anyone, anywhere. Whether they're playing at home in Baltimore or flying out to Arizona, the expectation is now "win," not just "show up."
Check the official Morgan State athletics site for updated kickoff times as the season approaches, and keep an eye on those Thursday night MEAC specials on ESPN+—they usually end up being the most entertaining games of the week.