Robinson's 3 TDs, Merritt's late pick, lift Bethune-Cookman

BALTIMORE (AP) — Jimmie Robinson rushed for 208 yards and three lightning-bolt touchdowns, and Trevor Merritt picked off a pass with less than a minute remaining as Bethune-Cookman edged Morgan State 30-28 on Saturday night.

With starting quarterback Akevious Williams lost to injury two weeks ago, Bethune-Cookman (5-5, 3-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic) ramped up its ground game, rushing for 314 yards while throwing just 12 passes for 26 yards.

Robinson burst 61 yards late in the first quarter, scoring on a one-play drive for a 9-0 Wildcats' lead. After a Morgan State punt to start the second quarter, Robinson scored again — this time from 60 yards out — on the very next play. In the third quarter, Robinson galloped 65 yards to score, capping a three-play drive. Robinson's first three TDs of the season covered 13, 14 and 49 seconds.

DJ Golatt Jr. brought Morgan State (2-7, 1-4) within 23-21 after a 15-yard pass to Xavier Gravette early in the fourth quarter. Bethune-Cookman's Tupac Isme scored five minutes later, but the breathing room disappeared quickly when Golatt hit Daylen Baldwin with a 21-yard TD pass.

Merritt saved the win for the Wildcats, intercepting Golatt with 45 seconds remaining. Golatt passed for 257 yards and three TDs, both career highs.