East Rutherford, NJ---There will be a lot on the line when Howard University and Morgan State meet in the 42^nd Annual New York Urban League Classic at 3:30 pm in MetLife Stadium.  It is the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for both teams and it will be televised live on ESPN3 and tape delay on ESPNU (10 pm).

The Bears (1-2, 0-0), coming into the game, having won their first game, 28-3 over Bowie State last Saturday, are one of the early surprise teams in the MEAC.  Under first year head coach Lee Hull, Morgan State played close games in road losses to FBS Eastern Michigan and to Holy Cross.

The Bears, who were picked last in the preseason poll, have relied on the improved play of quarterback Robert Council (360 yards passing, 4 TDs), the running of reserve running back Herb Walker, Jr. (54 carries, 460 yards, 4 TDs) and dominance by their veteran offensive line.

Defensively, Morgan State is led by linebacker Cody Acker (35 tackles) and the special teams play, led by Lawrence Forbes, one of the top punters in the MEAC.

"It is always a tough battle when Howard and Morgan State get together," said Howard coach Gary Harrell, who is 1-1 vs the Bears and once served as quarterbacks coach there. "It has all the makings of a great matchup.  Both teams are coming off their first wins, it is the first MEAC game , it is in a pro venue and it is televised on ESPNU."

The Bison (1-2, 0-0 MEAC) defeated Morehouse, 35-17 in the AT&T Nation's Classic last Saturday at RFK Stadium on the strength of senior quarterback Greg McGhee, who accounted for 5 TD (3 running, 2 passing) and some sterling special teams play.

"Greg had an outstanding performance for us," said Harrell.  "But we got some great special teams play that made the difference.  We have yet to play a complete game.  We have to get better in the passing games for us to be more explosive and the defense has to be more consistent in not getting  penalties and getting us off the field."

Hull, who served as an assistant at the University of Maryland before accepting the job with the Bears, says that this game sets the tone.

"There is no question that if you win the first conference game, it goes a long way to what you try to accomplish the rest of the season," said Hull.  "Howard is going to be a tough matchup for us.  We know what's at stake."

Harrell echoes Hull's sentiments.  "Both teams want to win this game.  They run the ball well, their quarterback can hurt you with his arm or his legs, their defense is solid and I am especially impressed with their special teams.  It is going to come down to who plays the most disciplined and makes the fewest mistakes."

MEDIA NOTES: Mark Neely will do play by play while Howard University Hall of Famer, Jay "Sky" Walker will provide analysis for ESPNU…the game will also be webcast on whbc (www.whbc963hd.com) , with Trevin Jones handling play by play and Michael Lindo the color commentary…this will be the fourth straight Howard game that is being televised…the game will also be broadcast on Heritage Sports Radio Network (www.hsrn.com) . Veteran Lamont Germany will do the play by play and Kelvin Bridgers the color commentary.

Game Notes