What Is 2011 Morgan State Bears football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 Morgan State Bears football team represented Morgan State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 5-6 overall record under head coach Donald Hill-Eley. They competed in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), posting a 4-4 conference record.

Key Facts

The 2011 Morgan State Bears finished with a 5-6 overall record
They went 4-4 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
Head coach Donald Hill-Eley led the team during his ninth season
Home games were played at Hughes Stadium, a 10,000-seat facility
Quarterback Jarrid Brown threw for 1,207 yards and 7 touchdowns

Overview

The 2011 Morgan State Bears football team represented Morgan State University during the 2011 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the Bears were led by head coach Donald Hill-Eley in his ninth year at the helm.

The team played its home games at Hughes Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, a venue with a capacity of 10,000. Despite showing moments of competitiveness, the Bears narrowly missed a winning record, finishing the season with a 5-6 overall mark and a 4-4 conference record.

Overall record: The team finished with a 5-6 win-loss tally, falling just short of bowl eligibility, which requires a minimum of six wins at the FCS level.
Conference performance: In MEAC play, Morgan State went 4-4, placing them in the middle of the conference standings and missing postseason contention.
Head coach: Donald Hill-Eley, in his ninth season, continued to build program stability despite limited resources compared to other FCS programs.
Home stadium: Hughes Stadium, located on campus, hosted all home games and provided a modest but energetic environment for fans.
Key player: Quarterback Jarrid Brown led the offense, throwing for 1,207 yards and 7 touchdowns, though the passing game struggled with consistency.

Season Performance

The 2011 season featured a mix of close losses and hard-fought victories, reflecting the team's competitive spirit despite a losing record. Several games were decided by single digits, highlighting the Bears' ability to challenge stronger opponents.

Week 1 opener: Morgan State defeated Howard 17-14 in the annual 'City Game,' marking a strong start to the season with a rivalry win.
September struggles: The Bears lost three consecutive games to Monmouth, Kent State, and North Carolina A&T, falling to 1-3 by mid-September.
Midseason improvement: Wins over Savannah State and Florida A&M in October briefly raised hopes for a winning season and MEAC contention.
Defensive effort: The defense allowed 27.5 points per game, a slight improvement from previous years but still among the higher averages in the MEAC.
Offensive challenges: The team averaged just 19.8 points per game, hampered by inconsistent quarterback play and limited depth on the offensive line.
Final stretch: A season-ending loss to Delaware State in November sealed the 5-6 record, ending postseason hopes.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2011 Morgan State Bears compared to other MEAC teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	MEAC Record	Points Per Game	Points Allowed
Morgan State	5-6	4-4	19.8	27.5
Hampton	6-5	5-3	24.1	22.3
South Carolina State	9-3	7-1	27.6	18.9
Florida A&M	7-5	5-3	26.4	23.7
Delaware State	5-6	4-4	21.2	29.1

The table shows that Morgan State ranked in the lower half of the MEAC in both scoring and defense. While they matched Delaware State in record and conference performance, South Carolina State clearly dominated the league, eventually winning the MEAC title and advancing in the FCS playoffs. Morgan State's offensive output was the second-lowest among these teams, indicating ongoing struggles to generate consistent drives.

Why It Matters

Though not a championship season, the 2011 campaign provided valuable development for players and coaching staff, setting the foundation for future MEAC competitiveness. The team's performance reflected the challenges faced by smaller FCS programs balancing athletic and academic missions.

Player development: Young athletes gained critical experience, with several sophomores and freshmen seeing significant playing time.
Recruiting impact: A competitive season helped maintain visibility in regional recruiting pipelines despite limited national exposure.
Conference parity: The close records among MEAC teams underscored the league's competitive balance at the time.
Stadium atmosphere: Hughes Stadium continued to serve as a community hub, drawing alumni and local supporters to home games.
Program stability: Maintaining consistent leadership under Hill-Eley provided continuity during a transitional era in college football.
Historical context: The season is part of Morgan State’s long gridiron tradition, which dates back to 1902 and includes multiple MEAC titles.

The 2011 season, while not record-breaking, remains a chapter in the ongoing story of Morgan State football, illustrating perseverance and the pursuit of excellence at the HBCU level.