WASHINGTON, DC --- Howard University played its best defensive game of the year and was on the verge of pulling out its first victory of the season, but in the end, the passing combination of Greg Hankerson to Isaac White proved to be the difference as Norfolk State escaped, 15-12 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Greene Stadium.

The game, which was Homecoming for the Bison (0-5, 0-3 MEAC), was a defensive battle from the outset.  Neither team could get anything going and the only points in the first 30 minutes came on a safety as Howard led, 2-0 at the half.

"The defense played solid," noted Howard head coach Gary Harrell.. "They played probably their best game of the year as far as minimizing their opponents and their point production. We were getting some stops on third downs and putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback. I like what I saw today on the defense. They created problems for a good NSU offense."

The Bison defense, which recorded a season-high eight sacks and held the Spartans to minus 17 yards net rushing, continued to assert itself in the second half and finally got a break when freshman defensive back Johnnie Cooper recovered a Norfolk State fumble that was forced by Kenneth Russ at the Norfolk State 38.  But the Bison were unable to capitalize and had to settle for a 40-yard John Fleck field goal that upped the margin to 5-0 early in the third quarter.

After the defense forced a three and out, special teams play again was a factor.  Norfolk State punter Bo Lomax mishandled the snap and was tackled at his own 16-yard line, giving the Bison a short field.  It was all Donnell Pleasant on the drive as the freshman from San Diego accounted for all the yards, the last six for a TD that made it 12-0 Howard at the 8:01 mark of the third quarter. It was Pleasant's first rushing TD.

Apparently, Howard's score woke up Hankerson and his mates as Norfolk State took the next possession and quickly marched 91 yards in only five plays, with Hankerson and White hooking up on a 49-yard TD to get the Spartans back in the game.

Explained Harrell, "Their QB is very elusive. He's a transfer kid from Florida Atlantic and he posed problems for us certain situations of the game. He hurt us with his legs and also made some tremendous throws." 

Howard had more opportunities to increase the score, but a combination of the Spartans' defense and penalties kept the Bison offense out of the end zone.

The Howard defense continued its sterling play and refused to let the Norfolk State offense score, as Damon Gresham Chisholm, Jalen Day, Craig Johnson and David Lee teamed to keep the visitors at bay with timely play.

Then with 1:53 left on the clock and no timeouts remaining, Hankerson moved his team quickly down the field, aided by a critical pass interference penalty that kept the Norfolk State drive alive.  The biggest play of the drive was a 21-yard TD pass from Hankerson to White on fourth and four. Six plays later, Hankerson capped off the drive with a six-yard dart to DeAndre Sangster with 41 seconds remaining.  He then went to his favorite target, White for the two-point conversion to make it 15-12 Norfolk State.

The Bison got the ball with one timeout remaining and were able to move the ball to the Norfolk State 49-yard line.  But a Cunningham pass was intercepted by Sandy Chapman at the NSU 9-yard line.

The Spartans ran out the final seconds and escaped with the win.

On the offensive end, Pleasant, subbing for starter Aquanius Freeman, had another fine game, rushing for 87 yards on 29 carries and a TD.

Defensively, the Bison bottled up the Spartans running game, but Hankerson (who was 24 of 36 for 294 yards and two TDs), White (9 receptions, 145 yards, 1 TD) and Sangster (8 receptions, 91 yards, 1 TD) all had good performances in the passing game.

Johnson, the MEAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, had another outstanding game with 8 tackles, a career-high 5 tackles for losses and 2 sacks.  Day chipped in with 8 tackles and Damon Gresham Chisholm, who was playing for the first time this season, was a difference maker with 7 tackles, 2 sacks and several plays where he forced errant throws.

"Having Damon back makes a big difference as you saw today," said Johnson.  "With him and Matthew Parker and (Ibrahoma) Kebe in the fold, our defense is beginning to come around."

NEXT UP
The Bison have a bye next week and will return to action on October 17 when they travel to Orangeburg, SC to play the Bulldogs of South Carolina State at 2 pm.