Washington, DC---It was the conference opener for both teams and they slugged it out early before Hampton made the plays that it had to make en route to a 34-7 win over
Howard in the AT&T Nation's Football Classic before 13,068 at RFK Stadium.
The two teams took turns with drives early but each time they were aborted, forcing punts as it was scoreless after the first 15 minutes.
Then came what perhaps was the turning point in the game. The Bison (0-3, 0-1 in the MEAC) had an opportunity to go on top when they drove and had possession on a first and goal at the Hampton 4-yard line. But Howard got the first of many holding penalties. They were forced to settle for a 41-yard field goal attempt which failed.
The Pirates (1-2, 1-0 in the MEAC) committed a series of penalties on their next possession which put them back deep in their territory. Facing a 2nd and 25 from its own 4-yard line, Hampton converted and then proceeded to embark upon an eight-play, 81-yard drive that resulted in the game's first score, a one-yard bolt by Eric Carter with 7:41 before the half.
Hampton used that as momentum when it took the second half kickoff and got good field position on the return. But the Bison defense stiffened and the Prates had to settle for a 31-yard Anthony Prevost field goal.
Then came what was perhaps the play of the game. Howard's Dakota Lebofsky attempted a punt that was blocked and returned 27 yards by Bruce Perry, making it 17-0 midway through the third quarter.
The Bison were unable to get anything going and when they did, they were hit by penalties that made for second and third and longs.
"We came out in the first quarter and did some good things," noted Howard head coach Gary Harrell. "But that's where it pretty much stopped. We were in the Red Zone twice and came away with no points. Hats off to Hampton. They came in and pretty much dominated."
The Pirates then all but put the game away when Brandon Cox powered his way to a 2-yard TD run and Yahkee Johnson caught a 29-yard pass from Jaylian Williamson during the last 1:45 span to end the quarter.
Howard running back Anthony Philyaw broke a scoreless span of six quarters with a three-yard twisting run to close out the scoring with the game already decided.
Howard was able to run the ball effectively with 275 yards but 11 penalties for 122 yards was a problem.
"We have to find ways to eliminate those holding penalties and become more efficient on offense. In football, you have to make plays. We are still missing tackles; we are still missing opportunities."
Red-shirt freshman quarterback Jason Collins led all runners with a career-high 98 yards on seven carries while Philyaw contributed 83 on 20 carries and the team's only TD.
But the Bison failed to generate a passing attack as the duo of Kalen Johnson and Collins combined for 8 of 20 passing for 97 yards.
"We have to find a quarterback that can consistently help us win ball games and manage the game. That's where we are now. We have to find a way to create an identity on both offense and defense."
Defensively linebackers David Lee (9 tackles, 2.5 for losses), senior safety Craig Johnson (9 tackles, 1.5 for losses) and senior safety Alonte Dunn (8 tackles) all had outstanding individual efforts but it was not enough to offset the balanced attack of the Pirates (208 passing, 215 rushing).
"We just have to do a better job, making tackles, getting stops and not giving up big plays," said Johnson. "It's as simple as that."
NEXT UP: The Bison travel to Baltimore, MD to take on Morgan State next Saturday at 7 pm.
