Morgan: Nothing comes out of quitting

GREENVILLE — In 2001, Karl Morgan served as an assistant football coach on an Alcorn State team that finished 6-5. But now the head Delta Devil will lead Mississippi Valley State onto one of the largest stages they’ll ever play on Saturday when they face Alcorn State at Soldiers Field in Chicago at 4 p.m.
Ask Morgan and he’ll explain that playing Alcorn State in Chicago is a big deal — and not just because of location.
“(We) highlight Alcorn and Jackson State (on our calendar). It’s big for recruiting,” said the first-year coach. “Currently we’re the third option. If (recruits) don’t go to Jackson State, they go to Alcorn. And if not Alcorn, they come to us.....We want to move up in the pecking order.”
In order to become a more attractive option to recruits, Morgan said he knows his team first has to win some ballgames.
MVSU has been outscored 78-6 over the first two games against Alabama State and South Carolina State. They’ve yet to score a touchdown.
Plus, the Delta Devils lost their starting quarterback, freshman Carl Davis, after he broke his ankle in last week’s 44-0 loss to South Carolina State. Holmes Community College transfer Oliver Hughes, who was ineligible for the season-opener, is now the starter.
Through MVSU’s trials and tribulations, Morgan said he has been preaching to his team to keep a never quit attitude.
“The main thing I told them in the locker room is to keep fighting....And what’s the other alternative: to quit? Nothing comes out of quitting,” said Morgan.
Morgan said his team will fly out of Greenville at 7 a.m. Saturday morning on their way to Chicago. He added that there won’t be much sightseeing because the Delta Devils are there for business.
Morgan said over the last 15 years, Alcorn has won 10 meetings between the two schools. And they’ve not been any better against JSU either; who, Morgan said, has defeated the Delta Devils 15 years straight.
“We have to turn a tide on our in-state rivals,” he said.
The last time Alcorn State was on the field, they easily took care of Langston 50-27. And they did it with only 69 yards through the air. The Braves did, however, rush for over 200 yards and forced six turnovers.
Meanwhile, the MVSU defense has given up an average of nearly 207 yards per game. Their leading rusher so far this season has been senior Tristian Hudnall, who has rushed for 63 yards on 25 carries. Fellow senior Chris Watkins has 48 yards on 23 attempts.
But through it all, Morgan wants his Delta Devils to keep on pushing.
“...We have to keep working like we’ve won two games,” he said. “You have to be hopeful for a brighter day....And if not, why even go out there?”