WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 03, 2022) - The Howard University football team took yet another step closer to the MEAC title following a convincing 49-21 win over Norfolk State this past Saturday at William "Dick" Price Stadium.

For the second straight game, the Bison have shown marked improvement in all phases of the game.  The offense, with its vaunted rushing attack, ran for total yards while the passing attack provided balance with yards.

Defensively, Howard was able to get a solid team performance which resulted in limiting the Spartans to only yards of total offense and converting on only 2 of 11 third down conversions.

And on special teams, Howard (3-5 overall, 2-0 in the MEAC) got another improved effort from punter Phillip Richards, who averaged 42 yards on three well-placed punts and Aaron Bickerton, who converted on all seven of his PAT attempts.

While this makes for good copy and raised enthusiasm for Bison fans, there is still a long way to go and Coach Larry Scott, a veteran of these wars, knows that all too well.

"It was another good win for our football program," said Scott, in his fourth year at the helm. "But this is a competitive conference and we have to stay focused because there are still three tough games remaining.  We have to take it one game at time."

Howard will face perhaps its biggest challenge of the season when it travels to Durham, NC to take on the High-Flying Eagles of North Carolina Central at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. It will be homecoming for NCCU and kickoff is set for 2 pm. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and you can hear all the action on the Howard University Sports Radio Network, http://www.hubison.com. Trevin Jones, Nathaniel Henry and Kendall Lanier will team up to call the action.

"We have to be ready to play our best football of the season," noted Scott "They are as advertised.  There is a reason they are Number 1 in several statistical categories in the conference and high in the national stats. They have skilled and athletic players all over the place and their quarterback is really, really good.  He can beat you with his arms or his legs."

The Eagles (6-2 overall, 2-1 in the MEAC), who are coming off a last second road win at Delaware State, are averaging almost 38 points and over 432 yards of total offense per game. They can do it on the ground with running back Latrell Collier (605 yards, five TDs) and their quarterback Davius Richard who has rushed for over 500 yards and nine TDs. Richard is a dual threat as he has completed 133 of 210 for 1,715 yards and 17 TDs. His main targets are Quentin McCall (14 for 293, three TDs) and Devin Smith (29 receptions, 339 yards, five TDs).

NCCU will be going against a Bison defense that ranks among the nation's leaders in third down conversion defense while allowing only seven TD passes in eight games, a statistic also ranked nationally.

The Bison defense will be a key, but equally important is the Howard offense, which ranks high in time of possession, holding the ball for 37 and 32 minutes respectively in the wins over Delaware State and Norfolk State.

"We like to think of it as complementary football," explains Scott. "When you control the clock with first downs, converting on third downs and scoring in the Red Zones when the opportunity presents itself."

In the win over Norfolk State, the Bison converted on 12 of 15 on third down coversions and was a perfect 5-of-5 in the Red Zone.

The Eagles defense, which leads the MEAC in total and rushing defense will be tested as well.  Howard relies on its vastly improved offensive line, the effective running of the trio of Jarett Hunter (5-10, 205, JR, Mineral, VA), Ian Wheeler (5-10, 205, SR., Houston, TX) and Eden James (5-10, 195, FR., Port St. Lucie, FL) and the efficient passing of Quinton Willaims (6-5, 200, SR., Upper Marlboro, MD) to a bevy of wide receivers.

"Their offensive line is big and physical, and they run well," said NCCU Head Coach Trei Oliver. "Then they have that three-headed monster of running backs and their quarterback Williams, who makes good decisions and spreads the ball around to a number of receivers.  It's not like they have one player at the wide receiver who you have to pay attention to. They have a number who can make plays."

Hunter, Wheeler and James have accounted for 1,00 yards and seven TDs among them.  Williams has completed 138 of 207 passes for over 1,100 yards and 11 TDs.  He has made an equal opportunity passing attack. Antoine Murray (5-11, 188, JR, Miami, FL) leads the way with 35 receptions for 468 yards and four TDs but Kasey Hawthorne (5-11, 200, JR., Sebring, FL) , Na'Shawn Hezekiah (6-3, 210, SOPH, Orangeburg, SC), and Richie Ilarraza (5-10, 180, SOPH, Clearwater, FL) have combined for 70 receptions among them.

Although there is still some football to be played on the season, both coaches feel that this game has the feel of a playoff type game.

"If you look at it, it is like we are a mirror of each other in terms of how we play," said Oliver. "It is really important that we come out and play our game. It is going to be a challenge."

Adds Scott, "We can't worry about their homecoming and the excitement. We have been tested all season with our schedule and now is the time to play to our identity and do what we have been doing the past two weeks."

BISON HOOVES: Howard is the least penalized team in the MEAC...This will be the 26th meeting between the two schools and the Eagles hold a 15-9-1 advantage, including a 45-27 win at Greene Stadium last year...Brandon Torrey, the Howard University offensive line coach, is a native of Durham, NC. A former standout offensive lineman for Howard University, Torrey went on to play in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders. 

NEXT UP: The Bison host the Bulldogs of South Carolina State in Greene Stadium at 1 pm next Saturday.  Fourteen seniors will be honored as it will be the last home game of the season.

NCCU travels to Norfolk State next Saturday for a 2 pm contest.