WASHINGTON (November 10, 2018) – In their final road test of the year, coach Mike London and the Howard University football team could not find their rhythm as they fell on the road at Norfolk State (NSU), 29-17, at Dick Price Stadium.
 
Offensively, HU (4-5, 4-3 MEAC) was limited to a season-low 273 total yards while running 56 plays.
 
"[We needed to] sustain the ability to convert on third downs to keep ourselves from getting penalties that will back us up and put us in third and long situations," said London after the game. "We played well last week, but we didn't play well enough this week. I've always said every game in the MEAC you better come to play, and Norfolk State came to play. We didn't do what we needed to win."
 
Sophomore tailback Dedrick Parson (Philadelphia) led the Bison's ground attack with 75 yards on 16 carries.
 
Howard struck first with a 39-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Caylin Newton (Atlanta) to fellow Georgia product Jequez Ezzard (College Park), 7-0.
 
NSU responded with a TD of their own, but a 30 yarder from newcomer Faraji Joseph (Greensboro, N.C.) gave the Bison a 10-3 advantage after the first period.
 
Norfolk State swung the momentum back in their favor, scoring 13 unanswered while taking a 16-10 lead at the break.
 
Midway through the third, Newton gave Howard the lead back with a 11-yard touchdown, 17-16.
 
From that point on, NSU recaptured the moment and closed out the game scoring 13 unanswered, 29-17.
 
Defensively, second-year DBs Bryan Cook (Cincinnati) and Tye Freeland (Petersburg, Va.) each had double-digit tackles. Cook had 10 tackles (seven solo), including a tackle for loss, while the Virginia native recorded a team-best 11 tackles (three solo) and a pass breakup in the loss.
 
Saturday (Nov. 17), Howard concludes the regular season with Bryant in a nonconference matchup. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Greene Stadium on Senior Day.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.