What Is 2013 Morgan State Bears football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Morgan State Bears football team represented Morgan State University in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 3–8 overall record under head coach Donald Hill-Eley.

Key Facts

The 2013 Morgan State Bears finished the season with a 3–8 overall record.
They competed in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and went 2–6 in conference play.
Head coach Donald Hill-Eley led the team for the third consecutive season.
The Bears played their home games at Hughes Stadium, a 10,000-seat facility in Baltimore, Maryland.
Morgan State scored a total of 220 points during the 2013 season, averaging 20.0 points per game.

Overview

The 2013 Morgan State Bears football team represented Morgan State University during the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the Bears struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3–8 overall record and a 2–6 mark in conference play.

Under the leadership of head coach Donald Hill-Eley, who was in his third year at the helm, the team faced challenges on both offense and defense. Despite improvements in certain areas, the Bears were unable to secure a winning season or a postseason berth, continuing a rebuilding phase for the program.

Record: The Bears finished the 2013 season with a 3–8 overall record, their third consecutive losing season under head coach Donald Hill-Eley.
Conference play: In MEAC competition, Morgan State went 2–6, placing near the bottom of the conference standings.
Home games: The team played all home games at Hughes Stadium in Baltimore, a 10,000-capacity venue located on campus.
Offensive output: The Bears scored 220 total points across 11 games, averaging 20.0 points per game, which ranked near the bottom of the FCS.
Defensive struggles: Morgan State allowed an average of 30.5 points per game, contributing to their difficulty in securing wins against MEAC opponents.

Season Performance

The 2013 campaign was marked by offensive inconsistency and defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in conference matchups. While the Bears showed flashes of competitiveness, they were unable to close out games against stronger MEAC teams.

Season opener: Morgan State opened the season with a 35–28 loss to Howard University in the annual ‘City Game,’ a local rivalry played at Hughes Stadium.
Non-conference play: The Bears played four non-conference games, winning only one—a 24–21 victory over Savannah State in September.
MEAC wins: The team secured conference victories against Delaware State (24–17) and South Carolina State (27–24 in overtime).
Key player: Quarterback Eric Bonner started most games, throwing for 1,746 yards and 11 touchdowns, though he also threw 10 interceptions.
Rushing attack: Running back Dominique Drake led the ground game with 587 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 137 carries.
Defensive leader: Linebacker Devin White recorded 89 total tackles, the most on the team, and earned MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors once.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2013 Morgan State Bears compared to select MEAC teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	MEAC Record	Pts/GF	Pts/GA
Morgan State	3–8	2–6	20.0	30.5
North Carolina A&T	7–4	5–3	26.8	21.5
South Carolina State	6–5	5–3	23.6	24.0
Delaware State	3–8	2–6	17.2	31.9
Hampton	7–4	6–2	28.5	20.8

The table highlights that Morgan State’s scoring and defensive metrics were below the MEAC average. While they outperformed Delaware State in points scored, both teams struggled defensively, allowing over 30 points per game on average. Hampton and North Carolina A&T stood out as the conference’s top performers, underscoring the gap between the top and bottom of the MEAC in 2013.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a transitional year for Morgan State football, reflecting broader challenges within the program. Despite limited success, it provided valuable experience for young players and laid groundwork for future development.

Program development: The season contributed to the long-term rebuilding effort under Hill-Eley, who emphasized player development and discipline.
Recruiting impact: Competitive games against strong MEAC teams helped showcase talent and improve recruiting visibility.
Player growth: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, including quarterback Eric Bonner, who returned in 2014 as a team leader.
Conference parity: The close losses to South Carolina State and North Carolina A&T indicated the Bears were closing the gap in competitiveness.
Facility limitations: Playing at Hughes Stadium, which lacks modern amenities, presented challenges in attracting top-tier recruits and fans.
Historical context: The 3–8 record continued a trend of sub-.500 seasons, dating back to 2009, highlighting the need for sustained investment in the program.

While the 2013 season did not yield postseason success, it served as a critical step in Morgan State’s ongoing efforts to stabilize and grow its football program within the MEAC landscape.