Norfolk, VA—Anthony Philyaw rushed for a game-high 115 yards and a TD, and quarterback Kalen Johnson and wide receivers Guy Lemonier and Kyle Anthony provided balance in the passing game but it was the second half play of the defense that proved to be the difference as Howard University defeated Norfolk State, 33-28 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Dick Price Stadium before 6,618. The win was the first f the season for the Bison (1-4, 1-2 in the MEAC) and it snapped a seven-game losing streak dating back to last season.
Howard, who has been falling behind of late, followed the pattern, allowing the Spartans (1-4, 0-2 in the MEAC) to score on their opening drive. The Bison countered with a blocked punt by Julian Blair and a return of eight yards by Ibrahim Conteh. The PAT conversion missed and the Bison trailed 7-6 at the 8:03 mark.
The Spartans threatened to put the game away early when Greg Hankerson capped off a 10-play drive with a 9-yard scamper to up the margin to 14-6. Hankerson then connected with George Wahee from 59 yards to close out the first quarter ahead, 21-6.
"We have to figure a way to come out better in the beginning of the game," said Howard head coach Gary Harrell. "We keep making things very difficult. We should not have to play from behind the majority of the game."
Howard then began to work its way back in the game. With Philyaw powering the running game, Kalen Johnson began to get confidence in the passing game, taking turns finding Lemonier, Anthony and and Philyaw out of the backfield.
It resulted in consecutive drives of 86 yards on 14 plays, 71 yards on 10 plays, 72 yards in nine plays and 62 yards on 9 plays. The last gave the Bison a 33-21 lead with 9:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.
"We came into halftime and made some major adjustments," explained Harrell. "We emphasized understanding assignments. I told them that they had to stop standing around and watching Philyaw. I want a total team effort and I think we got the message."
Johnson completed 10 of 13 after intermission to finish with 150 efficient yards and two TDs, both to talented freshman wide receiver Anthony, who now has four TDs on the season.
"Kalen was solid; he did things that did not hurt the team and that is what you are looking for from the quarterback position," Harrell observed.
Added Johnson, "We got our running game going and it allowed us to open up the passing game. Overall, we were just more consistent."
Lemonier, who had been absent from the passing game though most of the season, caught a career-high seven passes for 65, three that resulted in first downs on third and long situations.
"Coach Harrell pulled me aside at halftime and told me that we were not going to win if I did not make plays," said Lemonier. "So I knew that I had to step things up in the second half."
As productive as the offense was (150 yards passing, 146 rushing), the defense had perhaps its best effort of the season in the second half, limiting the Spartans to 18 total rushing yards.
It was a team effort as David Lee, Blair, Marquese Blanchard, Craig Johnson and Jalen Day and their mates took turns making plays.
Blair, a senior cornerback, had perhaps his best game as a Bison, finishing with a block of a punt that led to a fumble recovery for a TD and a huge interception that stopped a key Norfolk State drive in the third quarter.
"It was a team effort on defense," said Blair, who has battled injuries through most of his career. "The opportunities to make plays came as a result of the team effort."
NEXT UP: The Bison host Monmouth in their home openers this Saturday at 1 pm in Greene Stadium.
