WASHINGTON (October 8, 2021) – Junior quarterback Quinton Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md.) threw for two touchdowns--including a school record 97-yarder to senior wideout Antoine Murray (Miramar, Fla.)--and the defense played its best game in recent years as the Howard University football team posted a 27-0 shutout victory over Morgan State University (MSU) in a nationally-televised Friday night game at Greene Stadium before 8,632 spectators.
 
Friday's shutout was the first for HU since November 2006 (at Bethune-Cookman, 28-0), but the first home shutout since November 2002 (vs. Norfolk State, 21-0).
 
It was the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) contest for both teams, who came into the game having a combined 1-8 record. But the Bison (2-4, 1-0 in the MEAC) had a slight edge in having posted a win over Scared Heart University for their first victory a week ago.
 
It was the defense that set the tone early as both teams took turns in what a comedy of errors. Penalties, blocked kicks, dropped passes and overall ineptitude on offense were the order of the night.
 
Howard, who has now surrendered only a field goal in the last five quarters of play, was dominant against the struggling Bears' offense, allowing Williams and Company to find some rhythm.
 
The break came just before halftime when Williams was able to take advantage of the defense's effort, parlaying a penalty-filled drive that was plagued by both sides into a 16-play, 45-yard drive that used up over seven minutes.
 
Although the Bison were only able to come away with a 36-yard Faraji Woodson (Greensboro, N.C.) field goal out of the deal, it set the tone for the second half.
 
"That field goal was a momentum builder for us," said Howard Head Coach Larry Scott. "In that previous possession, I thought we had some momentum, so we decided to go for it on fourth down. The second time around in a game like this, you must take any advantage that you can get. So, it was important that we came away with points. Getting that field goal at the end of the half was a momentum builder for us."
 
The Bison defense continued to keep the Bears (0-5, 0-1 in the MEAC) in check on their opening second half possession, but a booming, well placed 50-yard punt by MSU's Neil Bodreau, pinned the Bison back to their one-yard line. Following a Williams' two-yard push on first down to give his team some breathing room, history was made on the next play. Williams found Murray over the middle on a short pass and the Florida native raced untouched for a 97-yard completion that all but sealed the deal. The previous record was 95 yards in 1985 on a connection from the late Lee DeBose to Curtis "Ghost" Chappell.
 
"When you put a lot of people in the box to stop the running game, it limits the creases that you look for," said Scott. "But it sometimes makes you vulnerable to big plays in the passing game. We have a quarterback who can find people and we have receivers who can make those kinds of plays. It is a matter of playing to your strengths. It was certainly a huge play."
 
MSU never recovered. Howard, meanwhile, took over the game on offense as the weary Bears defense succumbed while the Bison defense continued to make life miserable for Morgan State. The Bears were held to 117 yards of totals offense and made only one of 16 third down conversions.
 
Williams, who is rapidly becoming one of the top quarterbacks in the conference, had yet another banner day, completing 19-of-33 for 337 yards and two TDs. Murray is also emerging as one of the top playmakers in the conference, catching four passes for a career-best 171 yards.
 
The Bison get a bye before taking on title contender Norfolk State University for homecoming, October 23 at 1 p.m. in Greene Stadium.
 
"The main thing that we want to do is get healthy and clean up some of the things that we saw tonight in terms of penalties," Scott explained. "We pride ourselves on discipline, but tonight we allowed ourselves to fall in into a trap. That's something we will not tolerate. We have zero tolerance for that kind of thing."
 
The Bison committed a season-high eight penalties for 100 yards while Morgan State committed 11 for 89 yards.
 
The game under the lights was only the second in school history and it included a large Bison crowd that seemed to energize the team's effort, much to the satisfaction of Scott and his vision.

"That's all a part of what we want to create," he said. "A Greene Day environment that starts before the game. We want to build a tradition here that helps our fans, alumni and students to feel like they are just as much a part of winning. You can feel that connection."
 
GAME NOTES: Howard forced its first turnover of the season on an interception by junior defensive back Elijah Coleman (Rockwall, Texas) ...Williams has now thrown for over 1,300 yards and 12 TDs the past four games ... Woodson added to the victory with field goals of 35 and 36 yards and was a perfect three for three on PATs ... Third-year Bison Ray Williams (Detroit) had one of his best games with six solo tackles.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.