First look: Sun Devils welcome Morgan State Bears to Tempe

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Happy Football Week to all who celebrate!

After 248 days off the gridiron, meaningful football will be played once again at Mountain America Stadium when the Sun Devils host Morgan State on Saturday night.

Members of the FCS Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the Bears kicked their season off on August 29th with a 17-7 win on the road against North Carolina A&T.

Originally, Arizona State was slated to face Bowling Green in this season's opener, but the Falcons canceled the matchup in February of 2025 to open a scheduling opportunity with Nebraska (to be played on September 12th). Just over a year ago, the Sun Devils found their replacement opponent when Morgan State agreed to schedule the matchup.

Predicted to finish 4th of 6 teams in the MEAC preseason poll, the Bears took what is considered the toughest non-conference schedule in the conference head on in last week's win. The ground-and-pound identity was led by Shepherd University (Division II) transfer running back Jordan Barnett, rushing for 114 yards and a touchdown. Senior transfer Cameron Edge emerged to win the quarterback battle after stops at Maryland (4 games between 2023-24) and Eastern Michigan (no game action in 2025). A traditional pocket passer, he will rely on returning wide receivers Justin Perry and Malique Leatherbury, as well as transfer Joseph Towler (Bowie State) to surprise the Sun Devils.

Defensive play is the hallmark of the team behind defensive coordinator Antone' Sewell. The 40th ranked team defense in FCS last season with 328 yards against per game, more than 20 new faces give the Bears exceptional depth to play rotational defense and keep players fresh. Cornerback Aki Harvey (First-Team Preseason All-MEAC) and linebacker Michael Hastie (transfer from West Virginia) lead a unit that held North Carolina A&T to a single touchdown despite giving up 328 yards of total offense.

FCS opponents should never be taken lightly, just ask our neighbors to the south after their 21-19 loss at the hands of Northern Arizona in 2021. However, since Division I split to I-A and I-AA (now FBS and FCS) in 1978, the Sun Devils own a perfect 19-0 record against opponents from the lower division, one of five current Big 12 schools to own such distinction. This game will be ample opportunity for Cutter Boley to show what won him the starting quarterback job, and showcase what Arizona State brings to the table in the 2026 season.

Kickoff from Mountain America Stadium will be at 7pm Arizona Time, airing on ESPN+.