Washington, DC---It will be the first time that the two schools have met on the football field but it should prove to be more than just a non-conference match-up in the middle of the season. Monmouth (3-2, 0-1 in the Big South) will be looking to continue its current one-game win streak as it prepares to get into conference play next Thursday. The Hawks are coming off a thrilling, 42-41 overtime win over Fordham at home last Saturday.
The Bison (1-4, 1-2 in the MEAC) won their first game of the season last week with a 33-28 victory over Norfolk State on the road. Howard is in a similar situation as it next takes on MEAC powerhouse South Carolina State at Greene Stadium next Saturday.
This game, scheduled for a 1 pm kickoff, will be webcast live on the HU Sports Network (www.whbc963hd3.com) with Trevin Jones on play by play and Mike Lindo and Tiffany Hoyd on color commentary.
The Hawks feature a balanced attack with 147 yards rushing and 211 passing. The ground attack is led by senior running backs Lavon Chaney and Ed Royds, who have 110 carries for almost 500 yards and six TDs between them. The passing attack is paced by the passing of sophomore quarterback Cody Williams to outstanding freshman wide receiver Reggie White, Jr., who is coming off an impressive effort of 10 catches for 167 yards and two TDs, earning him Big South Offensive Player of the Week.
"They are a very well coached team," said Howard coach Gary Harrell of Monmouth. ""Their run game is solid and they are throwing the ball efficiently. We have to build on our efforts from last week. The one concern I do have is that we are inconsistent. We have to learn to start fast and finish strong."
Harrell is alluding to a pattern that the team has adopted. Against Maryland in the season opener, the Bison got off to a slow start but they finished strong despite the loss. Against Rutgers the next week, Howard jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter but failed to maintain the effort in the loss.
In the Hampton game, the Bison never were in it and then against Morgan State, they again got off to a slow start, but finished strong to take the lead, only to lose it in the closing seconds.
The victory over Norfolk State followed the same script with a slow start, but Howard apparently learned from the Morgan State game and sustained the momentum that they needed to secure a win.
"We have a lot of young players who are playing due to injuries, but we do not use that as an excuse," said Harrell. "What I am seeing and I like, is the effort that they are giving. They get down but they are learning to fight back and the Norfolk State game showed them that if they give the effort and cut down on mistakes, we have a chance to win."
Junior running back Anthony Philyaw continues to show why he is one of the premier backs in the conference. The 6-1, 215-pound native of Redondo Beach, CA proved to be a key in the victory. His ability to run and catch the ball helped open up the passing game for red-shirt sophomore quarterback Kalen Johnson and wide receivers, junior Guy Lemonier and freshman Kyle Anthony. Lemonier grabbed a career-high seven passes while Anthony, who is emerging as a playmaker, caught four, two of which went for scores.
"Anthony plays the position very well," said Harrell, Howard's all-time leading receiver. "The big thing about him is that he knows how to win the 50-50 balls. His ability helps open up the run game for Philyaw."
The Bison have been getting outstanding efforts on defense of late from linebackers David Lee, Jalen Day, defensive end Elijah Anglin, safety Craig Johnson and cornerback Julian Blair. Howard limited Norfolk State to only three first downs in the second half.
GAME NOTES: /documents/2016/10/8//FB_Game_Notes_Monmouth_Uni.pdf?id=455
NEXT UP: Monmouth has a short week as it prepares to take on Presbyterian College on Thursday in a Big South matchup. Howard returns to MEAC play hosting South Carolina State on Saturday at 1 pm in the second of three straight home games.
