Baltimore, MD--The Howard University team will be looking for its first win when it travels to Baltimore, MD to take on MEAC and longtime rival Morgan State on Saturday. The game kicks off at 7 pm in Earl Banks Field at Hughes Stadium. It will be aired on ESPN3 with providing the action and commentary. Bison fans can tune in the Howard Sports Network at www.whbc963hd3.com. Trevin Jones will call the action and Michael Lindo and Tiffany Hoyd will provide color commentary.
After making a respectable showing the fourth quarter of the season opener at Maryland and a good first quarter start at Rutgers, Howard (0-3, 0-1 in the MEAC) never showed up in last Saturday's game against Hampton in the AT&T Nation's Football Classic at RFK Stadium.
"I was very disappointed in our effort against Hampton," lamented Howard head coach Gary Harrell. "Give Hampton credit. They came out and pretty much dominated."
In a scoreless first quarter, the Bison had a chance to take the early lead when it had a first and goal at the Pirates' 4-yard line. But a series of holding penalties and mistakes forced them to settle for a 31-yard field goal which they missed.
Even with the botched opportunity, Howard had yet another chance early in the second quarter when it forced Hampton into a second and 26 from its own four-yard line. But again the Bison did not take advantage and allowed the Pirates to go on an 81-yard drive for the game's first score and what for all intent and purposes, was the game.
"We have to establish some kind of identity on offense and defense," noted Harrell. "We are still trying to find an identity."
Offensively, the Bison have split playing time between red-shirt sophomore Kalen Johnson and red-shirt freshman Jason Collins. Both have had their moments, but have failed to show any consistency.
"We just have to have better play from the quarterback position," said Harrell.
The running game has been one of the bright spots on offense, primarily due to the efforts of junior running back Anthony Philyaw, who leads the MEAC in rushing with over 80 yards per game.
On defense, Howard is beat up, inexperienced and it lacks depth. Adding to their woes, starting middle linebacker Devin Rollins, who was off to a good start after sitting out last season with an injury, broke his arm in the Hampton game and is done for the season.
Two other starters, defensive end Marques Blanchard and defensive tackle Richard Johnson, both have injuries and are questionable.
Because of the inexperience on that unit, the Bison have been victimized by the big play, especially in the run game.
The Bears (0-2, 0-0 in the MEAC) will be playing their first conference game of the season. They had a bye this past week after dropping a 51-24 season-opening decision to Holy Cross and a 62-0 shutout at Marshall.
Morgan State has a new head coach in Fred Farrier and they are led by senior running back Orlando Johnson (18 carries, 91 yards, 2 TDs), graduate quarterback Chris Andrews (27 of 51, 312 yards, a TD) and senior wide receivers Ladarious Spearman (9 catches, 120 yards, a TD) and Thomas Martin (8 receptions, 127 yards).
Defensively, junior linebacker Damare Whitaker (18 tackles, a forced fumble) and senior linebacker Greg Gibson (15 tackles, a fumble recovery) lead the way for the Bears.
Morgan State has won four straight, including last year's game in Chicago, 21-13. The Bears lead the series, 40-33-3.
GAME NOTES: Howard head coach Gary Harrell served as an assistant coach at Morgan along with Howard offensive coordinator and defensive line coach Herbert Parham. Bison kicking coach Mike Andres was a standout kicker at Morgan State. Morgan State sports information director Leonard Haynes, IV and assistant SID Kevin Paige are HU alums.
/documents/2016/9/23//FB_Game_Notes_Morgan_State.pdf?id=451
NEXT UP: Howard travels to Norfolk, VA to take on the Spartans of Norfolk State next Saturday at 2 pm.
