INDIANAPOLIS -- Miles erased a 17-point deficit in the second half and looked to be in position to earn its first win of the season on Saturday in the Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium.

But Reid Grek, who had made a 32-yard field goal to tie the game earlier in the fourth quarter, had his potential game-winner blocked and returned 94 yards for a scored by Jaden Carter which resulted in a 24-17 loss for the Golden Bears. The loss keeps Miles (0-5) winless on the season but continues building the momentum toward success for the young team.

Quarterback Brinley Vandiver had his best game of the season, going 24-of-38 for 260 yards and two touchdowns. He made some huge throws in the second half that turned the momentum after Morgan State (2-3) had opened a 17-0 advantage in the opening moments of the third quarter. His first scoring toss was a short 2-yard toss to running back Roderick Thomas that got Miles on the board with 1:40 left in the third quarter. It was the first receiving touchdown of the year for Thomas, who has now made it into the end zone in four consecutive contests.

The next big through came on Miles' next possession in the early portion of the fourth quarter. He went up top to a streaking Glen Williams (nine receptions, 138 yards), who torched the Morgan State secondary for a 67-yard scoring catch that brought the Golden Bears to within 17-14. On the next series, He found Tifton Dobbs alone up the sideline for a big 48-yard reception that flipped the field and set up Grek's game-tying field goal.

Miles forced a three-and-out on the next series, punctuated by a big sack by linebacker Carson Pritchett. Pritchett (10 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss) also shared one with Robert Williams (13 tackles, eight solo) and got another from Marcus Delain, and Antonio Reeves intercepted a pass at the end of the first half as the much maligned unt produced one of its most inspired performances of the season.

The Golden Bears, aided by two big Morgan State penalties on the same play, got the ball on the MSU side of the field and began setting up for a potential game-winning score. On third down, Vandiver completed a pass to Williams for nine yards. Miles elected to go for the field goal instead of attempting to pick up another first down on a risky conversion attempt. But Josiah Blake came free from Grek's left to get a clean block of the 27-yard attempt and Carter got the scoop and score to put MSU back in front with 1:17 to go.

Miles is back in action next week when it hosts Kentucky State. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.