Washington, DC--The Howard University football team will be looking to win its first game of the season while Morehouse will attempt to snap a six-game losing skid to the Bison when the two hook up on Saturday in the Fourth Annual AT&T Nation's Football Classic at RFK Stadium, Kickoff is slated for 3:30 pm.
Howard (0-2) enters the game coming off road losses to FBS opponents, Akron and Rutgers. After getting outplayed and outhustled by the Zips, 41-0 in the season opener, the Bison rebounded with a spirited effort in a 38-25 setback to the Scarlet Knights. In that game, Howard rolled up 437 yards of total offense.
But the Bison hurt their chances of winning due to mistakes. They were penalized 10 times for 100 yards, there was a dropped TD pass and a couple of breakdowns in the kicking game.
"We definitely showed some improvement from Game 1 to Game 2," said Howard Coach
Gary Harrell. "We did a good job in some areas as far as blocking and execution, but we are still making too many silly mistakes that keep you from winning ballgames. "
Much of the success on offense came from the running game, featuring the four-headed attack of senior QB
Greg McGhee, red-shirt junior running backs
Aquanius Freeman and Terrance Tusan and junior
William Parker.
McGhee rushed for 79 yards and a TD, Freeman scored the game's first TD, Tusan scored on a 71-yard jaunt and Parker kept the chains moving with his running between the tackles.
While McGhee had a rather efficient game passing (168 yards), but Coach Harrell feels that it is an area if concern.
"We are very young in that the receiving corp and need people to step up," said Harrell. "Right now Matt Colvin is our most consistent receiver and
Robert Mercer and
Tavius Brown have made some contributions, but we have to be more consistent for us to be a championship team."
Defensively, Howard will be trying to continue its effectiveness against the run. The Bison have held their two opponents to 3.4 yards per rush. But the Howard secondary has been victimized by big plays.
"We like to hang our hats on our run defense," said Harrell. "They have been been consistent the first two games. But we have some young players in the secondary who are playing for the first time and they have been exploited. Pass defense is not always about pass coverage; it is a concerted effort between the front seven and the secondary."
The Maroon Tigers (1-0) are coming off a 31-16 win in their season opener against Edward Waters last week. Morehouse relies on their senior running back Shelton Hamilton (24 carries, 140 yards, 2 TDs), sophomore quarterback Monqavious Johnson (5 of 12, 98 yards, TD) and the receiving of Sartin Brandon (3 receptions, 38 yards).
The past three games of the Classic have been won by Howard, but they have been close, something that has not gone unnoticed by Harrell.
"When we play Morehouse, you can forget about the Division, the records and all that," warned Harrell. "They really get up for us. This is a big game for them. They are well coached and we expect their best effort."
GAME NOTES: The game will be carried on ComCast Sports MidAtlantic. Brent Harris will handle the play by play, Qadry Ishmael the color commentary and Lou Holder sidelines reporter. The game will be webcast live on HU Sports Network at www.whbc963hd3.com. Trevin Jones will do play-by-play and Michael Lindo the color. It will also be carried live on Heritage Sports Radio (HSRN) with Gary Laing on play by play and Henry Frazier on color.
NEXT UP: Morehouse will travel to the Windy City to take on Central State of Ohio in the Chicago Classic next Saturday while the Bison will travel to New Jersey to play Morgan State in the New York Urban League Classic at Metlife Stadium at 4 pm. The game will be carried on ESPNU.
OTHER NOTES: Starting strong safety Julian David suffered a foot injury late in the Rutgers game and will not play. Starting offensive guard Deonta Allen Wright was also injured and will not play.
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