WASHINGTON (November 16, 2017) – Coach Mike London will get his first taste of the Battle of the Real HU rivalry when the Howard University Football team meets Hampton with bragging rights and title hopes on the line. This Saturday, Nov. 18 showdown starts 1 p.m. at Armstrong Stadium in Hampton, Va.
 
Fans can follow all the action via live stats or live video (PPV). Additionally, fans will have the ability to listen to the game live with play-by-play from Trevin A. Jones and his color analyst Tiffany Hoyd. Tune in to the WHBC96.3HD3; SiriusXM Channel 142; or Resident Network Channel 51 for all Bison football coverage.
 
WHAT'S AT STAKE
 
At stake for the Aggies on Saturday is an outright MEAC championship, which would mark their first since 2003. An Aggies win would accomplish this feat regardless of Howard's outcome against Hampton. With a NCAT loss, coupled with a Howard win, would allow the Bison to share the MEAC championship with the Aggies. It would be the Bison's first title since 1993.
 
Last Saturday (Nov. 11), North Carolina A&T State (NCAT) defeated Savannah State to clinch at least its third share of the MEAC football championship. This will be their third time winning the regular season title in four seasons.
 
Due to North Carolina Central's (NCCU) loss to Bethune-Cookman last Saturday, only the Aggies (7-0 MEAC) and Howard (6-1) have an opportunity to win a share of the MEAC title. NCAT hosts rival NCCU live on ESPN3 Saturday.
 
TIEBREAKER SCENARIO
 
Both NCAT and HU earned six (6) points for wins over Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams, as the Aggies defeated Charlotte and Howard beat UNLV. The Aggies earned an additional four (4) points for their non-conference Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) win over Gardner-Webb whereas the Bison does not have a non-conference FCS win.
 
As a result, with the third annual Celebration Bowl scheduled for Dec. 16 in Atlanta, Ga. at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, televised live on ABC at noon. North Carolina A&T State will be the MEAC's representative regardless of Saturday's outcomes via tiebreaker over the Bison by a 10-6 points edge. The teams did not have a head-to-head match-up this season.
 
FCS PLAYOFFS
 
With the final verdict of North Carolina A&T State representing the conference in Atlanta, Coach London and the Bison have focused their attention to Saturday's contest where a win increases their case for a berth into the FCS Playoffs.
 
HU ranks among the top offenses in the country, led by freshman quarterback Caylin Newton. Howard sits in the top 20 in total offense (19^th) and rushing (15^th). Additionally, Newton's big play ability with his arm leads the nation in passing yards per completion (18.73). This season, the Atlanta product was named to the CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy and Jerry Rice Watch Lists.
 
Anthony Philyaw, MEAC Preseason Player of the Year, is considered one of the best running backs in the nation. Before the season, the California native received multiple honors, including STATS FCS All-America Team, CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy list, and Black College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List.
 
Sophomore Jequez Ezzard has emerged as one of the nation's top deep threats, averaging 27.2 yards-per-reception. Fellow classmate Kyle Anthony has turned short passes into long gains. Currently, Anthony ranks 16^th in the country in yards per reception, averaging more than 20 yards per catch.
 
HU opened the season with a historic win over UNLV, which according to ESPN, has been deemed the biggest upset in college football history. The following week, the Bison dropped a close bout to FBS foe Kent State, 38-31, despite having an opportunity to tie the game in the final minutes. Howard suffered a tough loss against FCS traditional power No. 6 Richmond, who has the second toughest schedule in the nation. The squad fell to reigning MEAC Champions North Carolina Central by six in the closing moments.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
Saturday's matchup will be the 93^rd meeting between Howard and Hampton with the Pirates leading the all-time series, 49-42-1, including the last two meetings in favor of Hampton. Howard's last win over the Pirates came in 2014 with a 30-29 win. John Fleck nailed a 17-yard field goal with 21 seconds to propel the Bison to victory.
 
For Howard (7-3, 6-1 MEAC), they remain in the hunt for a share of the conference title. Currently, the Bison are one game behind No. 7 North Carolina A&T State; however, an Aggies' loss and HU win would give the program its first conference title since 1993 where they won the Black College National Championship.
 
This season, the Bison have scored 30 or more points on five separate occasions while ranking among the nation's best in total offense (449.0 per game). HU is second in the nation in passing yards per completion, led by Newton.
 
Defensively, the young Bison continue to make strides, shutting out Norfolk State (NSU) in the second half. Freshman defensive back Bryan Cook has turned him into a Ball Hawk, recording two INTs last week and four overall. Additionally, Howard ranks No. 1 in the nation in fumble recoveries with 14.
 
Hampton (5-5, 4-3 MEAC) opened conference play with a 4-0 mark, but have lost its last three games. A win for Hampton would give the Pirates an overall winning season while finishing over .500 in league play. Redshirt sophomore Ronald Bell ranks among the conference leaders in receptions per game (2^nd) and yards per game (5^th).
 
On the defensive side, junior Raheim Huskey spearheads the Pirates' attack. The South Carolina native leads the team in total tackles (88) while senior Owen Obasuyi tallies seven sacks, which is tied for third in the MEAC.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
HU took down NSU in the waning moments, 28-24, at Greene Stadium.
 
Trailing, 24-21, Coach London and the Bison started its final drive on their own 11-yard line. Howard marched down the field where Newton rolled to his right and stretched across the goal line for the game-winning touchdown with five ticks remaining.
 
Howard earned its fifth consecutive win after compiling 476 total offense yards, including 317 on the ground.
 
In his final home game, Philyaw put on a show, rushing for 193 yards on 20 carries while scoring two touchdowns in the victory. As a result, he was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week. Ezzard continued his solid play down the stretch, grabbing seven balls for 113 yards.

Defensively, the Bison held NSU scoreless after intermission. Senior Devin Rollins registered a team-high seven solo tackles, including a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble. Cook recorded three tackles and two INTs in the win; thus, earning MEAC Defensive and Rookie of the Week honors.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.