Washington, DC---Howard University and Hampton University kick off the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference season with a battle royale when they meet in the AT&T Football Classic at RFK Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 pm. The game will be webcast on www.whbc963hd3.com with Trevin Jones calling the action and Tiffany Hoyd and Michael Lindo doing color.
The two teams coming into the game looking for their first win. The Pirates (0-2, 0-0 in the MEAC) are coming off a 24-14 home loss to 13th ranked William & Mary this past Saturday while the Bison (0-2, 0-0 in the MEAC) dropped a 52-14 decision at Rutgers on Saturday.
Hampton won last year's contest, 37-19 to snap a four-game losing skid to Howard. The Pirates lead the hotly contested rivalry, 48-43-3.
"There will be no need for rah rah speeches or extra incentives for this game," said Hampton head coach Connell Maynor. "It's Howard-Hampton, it's a classic, it is in a former NFL Stadium, it is the MEAC opener and it's the battle of the real HU."
Added Howard head coach Gary Harrell, "What a way to start the MEAC season. The players get very excited when we meet Hampton. It is going to be a very exciting and competitive game."
Hampton comes in featuring a balanced attack with the running of Yahkee Johnson (23 carries, 174 yards, a TD), the passing of Jaylian Williamson (38 of 76 for 384 yards, 2 TDs) and the receiving of Rashawn Proctor (17 receptions for 222 yards, a TD).
"I feel good about the way we are playing on offense," says Maynor in his second season. "Yahkee Johnson's running helps us have balance on offense."
The Bison defense played well in the first half and limited the Scarlet Knights to under 50 yards total offense. But fatigue, mostly due to the brutal heat and lack of depth proved to be their undoing in the second half as Rutgers unleashed its running game and wore down the Howard defense.
The Bison offense showed signs that has the potential to be explosive. Junior running back Anthony Philyaw was the best back on the as he powered his way to 112 yards, making him the first Howard back to rush for over 100 yards against an FBS opponent.
"There is no question that Philyaw is a very special guy," said Harrell. "He can go the distance. He is a power guy who can block and catch. He opens up things for us on offense."
Click here to view this week's game notes: /documents/2016/9/16//Nation_s_Classic_Game_Notes.pdf?id=450
NEXT UP: Hampton is off until September 29 when it faces North Carolina A&T in a Thursday night game at 7:30 on ESPNU. The Bison travel to Baltimore, MD to take on the Bears of Morgan State on Saturday at 7 pm.
