ORANGEBURG, S.C. (November 6, 2021) – In a game that featured more field goals and safeties than touchdowns, Howard University football team fell to South Carolina State (SC State), 15-12, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference match at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium before 6,500 fans.
 
The Bulldogs (5-4 overall, 4-0 in the MEAC) got on the board early when they capitalized on a fake punt on fourth down that later resulted in a Kendrell Flowers three-yard burst at the 9:15 mark that capped off what would be an 11-play, 70-yard drive.
 
The Bison (2-7 overall, 1-3 in the MEAC) countered with a 12-play, 61-yard drive that took over five minutes off the clock, but they had to settle for a 31-yard Faraji Woodson (Greensboro, N.C.) field goal.
 
From that point, the defenses took over. SC State scored on a safety with 20 seconds left on the first period clock to take a 9-3 lead.
 
The Bulldogs threatened to pull away on several possession, but each time, the Howard defense stood tall.
 
SC State, the preseason favorite to win the league, was able to get a little something, settling for a 31-yard Gavyn Zimmerman field goal halfway through the third quarter.
 
Then, Howard suffered some adversity when starting quarterback Quinton Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md.) was injured and had to leave the game. In came sophomore Chance Hollingsworth (Manassas, Va.), who put together a six play, 64-yard drive just before the end of the third quarter. He had two big completions to senior wideout Antoine Murray (Miramar, Fla.), the second coming on a two-yard bullet to draw to within 12-10. Murray finished the afternoon with three receptions for 57 yards and a TD. 
 
It was the first TD pass from someone other Williams. Hollingsworth was 8-of-14 for 109 yards and a TD.
 
"We lost our quarterback and some other players, but I am proud of the way players stepped up," said Howard head coach Larry Scott. "We are happy with the way that this team fights.  There are so many things to build on. We're not far and we are going to get there. We're going to close the gap every week."
 
SC State threatened to pull away and get some breathing room on three other occasions, but the Bison defense was not having it. The Bulldogs were able to muster three points to take a 15-10 lead with a little less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation.
 
The Bison would get their opportunities and were able to get a safety on a bad SC State snap with 2:17 remaining.
 
A series of bad snaps and untimely penalties thwarted any attempts to get the victory as the Bulldogs held on downs and were able to run out the clock and secure the victory.
 
The Bison chose out the MEAC regular season when they host North Carolina Central Saturday (Nov. 13) at 1 p.m. in William H. Greene Stadium.
 
"We will take this experience and regroup from a practice standpoint," said Scott.  "We are coming back home to our students and fans and let's see how we can make the next two weeks at home special."
 
BISON HOOVES: Howard, which came into the game, ranking second in the conference in rushing, was held to 52 net yards...the Bison defense hounded SC Sate quarterback into a 13-for-32 passing day for only 143 yards and no touchdowns...the ever improving Howard defense recorded five tackles for losses and two QB hurries...Christian White (Richmond, Va./11 tackles, 9 solos), Aaron Walker (Washington/8 tackles, 6 solos) and Christopher Sumners (Princeton, N.J./7 tackles) combined for 26 stops, four behind the line of scrimmage.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.