TAMPA (September 10, 2022) —The Howard University football team rolled up over 400 yards of total offense, converting over 50-percent (9-of-17) of its third down conversions and dominating the time of possession battle (38:56). But it was all for naught as three costly turnovers that led to touchdowns proved to be the difference as the Bison fell, 42-20, to the University of South Florida (USF) at the Raymond James Stadium before 28,554.
 
Howard (0-3) had perhaps its best first quarter of the season when it forced a turnover on the Bulls' first play of the game, an interception by Robert Jones III (Fairwood, Md.), the first of his career. The Bison capitalized by putting together a well-executed, 10-play drive that covered 80 yards, using 5:20 off the clock. Junior wideout Kasey Hawthorne (Sebring, Fla.) finished off the drive from three yards out for a TD.
 
With the defense disrupting the Bucs' offense, Howard appeared in shape to take early control on its next possession, driving smartly into USF territory. Then, the first of a series of mistakes occurred that would ultimately prove to be the sign of things to come.
 
Howard fumbled on their next possession following a pass reception and it took the hosts 11 plays to go 60 yards with Jaren Mangum bursting in from two yards out to tie the game at 7-7 early in the second quarter.
 
The Bison had another nice drive going before they would again fumble, this time on a reverse, setting up the Bulls second score, a seven-yard run by Michel Dukes. It came with just two minutes before intermission.
 
"There was a turning point, a big deal for sure," said Howard head coach Larry Scott in the postgame press conference. "Everything that they got at one point was off turnovers. It put us in bad situations and gave them a short field. We can't turn the ball over and put ourselves in bad situations and expect to win."
 
Howard quickly regrouped and put together a short drive. However, it stalled and they had to settle for a 50-yard field goal attempt that came up short. The Bison trailed 14-7 at the half.
 
Using a combination of the running of Jarett Hunter (Mineral, Va.) and Ian Wheeler (Houston), along with the deft passing of senior quarter Quinton Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md.), Howard drove the ball down deep inside USF territory. Then, lightning would strike for a third time, this time with an interception.
 
The Bulls (1-1) took only four plays to go 25 yards as Mangum scored his second TD of the day, this time from a yard out, making it 21-7 midway through the third stanza.
 
Howard refused to fold and Williams took his team 75 yards on nine plays with Hunter zig-zagging his way 28 yards to the end zone to help his team get to within 28-14 with 2:37 remaining in the third  quarter.
 
The Bulls reeled off 21 unanswered points during an eight-minute stretch between the third and fourth quarters to put the game away.
 
The Bison would go on to add Wheeler's three-yard TD run to close out the scoring.
 
Williams completed 28-of-37 passes for 250 yards, connecting with nine different receivers. Hunter led the ground attack, which amassed 168 yards, rushing for 82 yards on 12 carries while Wheeler chipped in with 70 on 10 carries and a TD. The potent duo combined for nine receptions and 76 yards.
 
Junior Kenny Gallop, Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) led his team with 11 total tackles.
 
"I thought our defense played well with the exception of a couple of missed assignments," noted Scott. "They knew what kind of game they had to play and I thought that overall, they responded well."
 
The Bison will look to get its first win Saturday (Sept. 17) when it travels to East Rutherford, N.J., to take on Morehouse College in the HBCU NYC Football Classic at Metife Stadium at 3 p.m.
 
"The main thing is that we have to get healthy," Scott noted. "It is a fast turnaround and we will be back on the road again. It's going to be exciting."

CONTRIBUTORS

Derek W. Bryant, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information, and Kendall Lanier, Howard Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant, contributed to this story.

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