ATLANTA - The Howard University football team failed to take advantage of good field position and it resulted in a 23-13 loss to Alabama State (1-0) in the 18^th Annual Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge before 21,088 in the Parc Stadium. It was the season opener for the Bison (0-1), who were playing the Classic for the first time.
 
The start of the game was originally scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. (ET) nationally on ESPN, but it was delayed due to severe lightning that postponed the contest over 90 minutes.
 
The delay did not seem to bother the Bison who came out and moved the ball on their opening possession, from its own 29-yard line down to the Hornets' 14-yard line. But the drive stalled and the Bison were forced to settle for a Dylan West (Akron, Ohio) 33-yard field goal at the 8:42 mark of the first quarter, 3-0.
 
Howard forced a punt from Alabama State on a three-and-out and put together a short drive, but senior quarterback Quinton Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md.) was intercepted at the Hornets' 45-yard line. It took them 55 yards in eight plays and it culminated in an eight-yard TD run by Juwan Howell. The PAT attempt failed and Alabama State led, 6-3, with 3:48 in the first stanza.
 
The game was interrupted again, this time 30 minutes before the game officials resumed the action.
 
The momentum seemed to shift to the Hornets, who traveled 77 yards in only seven plays to up the margin to 13-3 early in the second quarter.
 
From there, the Bison would have some chances to put together drives in good field position but stalled each time. Four times, they had the ball in plus territory but could not seem to capitalize.
 
Howard finally put together its best drive of the game, marching 72 yards in 18 plays, but again the drive stalled and the Bison had to again settle for a West field goal, this time from 28 yards with a little under five minutes before intermission.
 
Alabama State threatened to add to its scoring, but the Howard defense stiffened and trailed 13-6 at the half time.
 
Then came what would prove to be the defining moment of the game. The Howard punter Phillip Richards, (Melbourne, Australia), who placed three punts inside the 15-yards line, put one inside the Hornets' one-yard line. The Hornets responded and embarked on a nine-play, 99-yard drive that was capped off with a 25-yard run by Jacory Merritt that increased the lead to 20-6 with 4:06 left in the third quarter.
 
Feeling a sense of urgency, the Bison were finally able to take advantage of field position by going 47 yards in eight plays with junior running back Jarett Hunter (Mineral, Va.) taking it in from six yards out to get the Bison within striking distance, 20-13, with plenty of time still left on the clock.
 
The Hornets responded with a 12-play, 83-yards drive that used almost seven minutes off the clock.  Howard was able to force a 29-yard field goal from Nic Eichner to make it a two-score game with 3:29 remaining in the regulations.
 
On their next possession, Howard was moving the ball quickly down the field until lightning, literally struck again and forced officials to stop the game with 2:12 remaining.
 
After a 35-minute delay, the game officials called the game at 1:20 am. (ET).
 
The Bison got an outstanding game on defense from graduate defensive tackle Jevin Jackson (Lawrence, Ga.), who was named Howard MVP after blocking a kick, recovering a fumble and recording two sacks. Sophomore wide receiver Richie Ilaraza (Clearwater, Fla.) tied a Classic record for most catches in a game with seven, which incidentally was also a career high.
 
Howard will try to rebound and get its first win of the season Saturday (Sept. 3) when they travel to Hampton, Va. to take on its rival, Hampton University at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.