WASHINGTON (September 16, 2022) - The Howard University football team will be looking to put it all together and get a victory Saturday (Sept. 17) when it takes on the Morehouse Maroon Tigers in the HBCU NYC Classic at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. and will be broadcast live on CNBC. Bison Nation can catch all the action on the webcast from the Bison Sports Radio Network (www.hubison.com).
 
The team of Trevin A. Jones (play-by-play), Nathaniel Henry (color commentary) and Kendall Lanier (sideline reporter) will bring you all the action.
 
The Bison (0-3), who have become the ultimate Road Warriors, will be playing their fourth game in the fourth different city. Despite its 0-3 record, Howard has shown marked progress in each game.
 
"I am pleased with the way this team is coming along," Scott said in his third year as head coach. "We are showing improvement each time out."
 
He continues, "The biggest thing for us is to get healthy and fight off the residual effects of this schedule as we prepare for Morehouse. We have had a challenging schedule, starting with the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta where we got home at 7:30 a.m., and then going to Hampton and getting back at 3 a.m. and last week in Tampa and getting back on campus at 4 a.m.  These young men must go through a lot here at Howard, but I tell them all the time that we must have the mentality of getting through this and embracing the challenge as we progress."
 
One of the areas is that of the offense, a concern in the past and especially coming into the season.  But the unit has made great strides in the last two games, paving the way for over 400 yards of offense with a balanced attack. Moreover, Howard dominated South Florida in time of possession, holding the ball for almost 39 minutes and allowed only one sack.
 
"That group is getting better and better each week," notes Scott.  "The offensive line coach (former Bison standout, Brandon Torrey) has done a great job of not only working them hard and preparing them, but also building a camaraderie that is so important, especially with a young group that will all be back for the next two years."
 
The chief beneficiaries of the improved line play are group of running backs, most notably, junior Jarett Hunter (Mineral, Va.) and senior Ian Wheeler (Houston). The Dynamic Duo have taken turns complementing each other in the offense. Hunter led the way with 81 yards and a TD versus South Florida and Wheeler added 70 yards and a score. They also provided versatility in the short passing game also as they combined for nine receptions and 76 yards.
 
Senior quarterback Quinton Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md.) had his best completion percentage game of his career (76-percent), connecting on 28-of-37 and good for 250 yards. In the past two games, he has connected with nine different receivers and has led his team on drives of 70 yards or more. Currently, the Maryland native ranks fifth in the nation with 730 passing yards.
 
Defensively, sophomore Kenny Gallop, Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) continues to show why he is one of the top young safeties in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The 5-foot-11, 210-pound sophomore led all tacklers with 11 against South Florida. The secondary, which was often victimized last season, mostly due to youth and inexperience, is playing much savvier. After getting only two interceptions all season last year, the group already has four on the season. Senior cornerback Christian Brown (Boynton Beach, Fla.) and sophomore cornerback Robert Jones III (Fairwood, Md.) each have come up with an interception in the past two contests.
 
Morehouse (0-2), a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), is no stranger to Howard University on the gridiron. The two historic institutions have played each other several times in the past, most recently in the Greater Washington Urban League Classic at the old RFK Stadium (2014). The Maroon Tigers enter the game with a 24-16 opening season loss against West Alabama and a 42-0 shutout to West Georgia last week. They are led on offense by junior Derrach West at quarterback, who leads the team in passing and rushing and senior Delancy Tolliver in receiving. Defensively, Morehouse is led by sophomore Daylon Land and senior Tyler Hunter.
 
The Bison are looking for that first victory of the season before they take a much-needed break next week. But for Coach Scott, this game takes on more than who wins or loses the contest.
 
"The game is being played in the New York area, it is being played at MetLife Stadium and it a matchup between two of the most prestigious HBCUs in the country. It is a great time for both alumni to come together in this event. It is an exciting time. Therefore, these young men come to Howard University."
 
The Bison have an open date before returning to action on October 1 when they have yet another road game, this time against Yale in New Haven, Conn. Kickoff is slated for noon.

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