WASHINGTON (October 20, 2023) - The Howard University football team will be looking to snap a two-game skid when it hosts Norfolk State University (NSU) Saturday (Oct. 21) at noon in William H. Greene Stadium. It will be homecoming for the Bison (2-4 overall, 0-0 in the MEAC) and the conference opener.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
The game will be carried live on ESPNU with Tiffany Greene doing the play-by-play and Howard alum Jay "Sky' Walker providing color commentary.
 
You can also catch all the action on the Howard University Sports Network. Veteran Trevin A. Jones will handle the play-by-play, Nathaniel Henry the color and Sareyah Rudd with sideline interviews.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
The Spartans (2-4 overall, 0-0 in the MEAC) are coming off a 24-17 road loss at Tennessee State Saturday (Oct. 21) while Howard dropped a 48-7 road decision to No. 18/19 Harvard.
 
The Spartans have been a surprise in the MEAC, having knocked off both Hampton and Towson.
 
For HU, it will be just the second home game of the season for the Bison, who have played three straight on the road. In the loss to the Crimson, the Bison turned the ball over three times and fell behind 28-0 in the first half. Coming into the game, Howard had only two miscues in the first five games, ranking among the nation's best in that category.
 
Both teams like to run the football. Howard leads the conference in rushing (193.2 per game) while Norfolk State is second (189.8 per game).
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
 
NORFOLK STATE COACH DAWSON ODUMS
 
"We look forward to the opportunity of playing a good, well coached Howard football team.  They present a challenge in all phases of the game as they have the ability to spread the ball around offensively. We definitely have our work cut out for us going up there."
 
HOWARD COACH LARRY SCOTT
 
"We look forward to coming home and playing in front of our home fans. Our goal at Howard is to compete for MEAC championships. I believe our guys understand that."
 
THE PLAYERS
 
NORFOLK STATE
 
The Spartans are led offensively by junior QB Otto Kuhns (48 carries, 215 yards & 3 TDs; 67-of-139, 807 yards & 10 TDs), sophomore RBs Xzavian Evans (60 carries & 310 yards) and Kevon King (40 carries & 200 yards) and graduate WRs Andre Pegues (14 receptions, 234 yards & 2 TDs) and Aaron Moore (12 receptions, 172 yards & 3 TDs). 
 
Defensive, Norfolk State are led by its talented linebackers, freshman A.J. Richardson (35 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for losses, a sack & FR) and Miguel Rio (16 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for losses, 4 QB hurries & a sack), redshirt sophomores Terique Miles (29 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for losses & a sack) and Daylan Long (24 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for losses & a sack) and graduate DB Joseph White (31 total tackles, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble and FR).
 
HOWARD
 
Howard is led by graduate running back Ian Wheeler (31 carries, 269 yards & 2 TDs), senior running back Kasey Hawthorne (16 carries, 173 yards & 4 TDs; 10 receptions, 155 yards & 2 TDs), senior running back Jarett Hunter (54 carries, 193 yards & 3 TDs; 11 receptions, 127 yards & a TD), sophomore running back Eden James (55 carries, 360 yards & a TD), graduate quarterback Quinton Williams (94 of 165, 1,122 yards, 8 TDs & 2 INTs), redshirt freshman wide receiver Breylin Smith (14 receptions, 135 yards & 2 TDs), junior wide receiver Richie Ilarazza (13 receptions & 125 yards) and freshman Nah'Shawn Hezekiah (10 receptions, 106 yards & a TD).
 
Defensively, graduate linebacker Christian White (27 total tackles, 2.5 sacks & 2 pass breakups), senior All-American candidate safety Kenny Gallop, Jr. (33 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, a FR, a FF & INT), senior safety Carson Hinton (33 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss & 1.5 sacks), junior linebacker Terrence Hollon (29 total tackles, team-leading 4.5 tackles for losses & a sack) and senior defensive back Ray Williams (23 total tackles & INT) have combined to become a force.
 
MEAC STATISTICAL TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
 
NORFOLK STATE
 
As a team, Norfolk State leads the MEAC in Red Zone defense and Third Down defense efficiency (32 percent), second pass defense (175.7 ypg) and rushing (189.3).
 
Individually, Evans is third in rushing, Pegues and Moore are fourth and sixth, respective, in receiving, Richardson is fifth in tackles and Allen is first in pass breakups. Richardson ranks fifth in tackles, Miles seventh in tackles for losses, Rio eighth in sacks and Devon Allen leads in pass breakups with eight.
 
HOWARD
 
The Bison rank first in total offense (almost 400 yards per game), total defense (324.8 yards per game), rushing offense (193.2 ypg), pass defense (141.5 ypg), pass efficiency defense, third down conversion and punting. They are second total defense and kick returns (23.8 ypr).
 
Individually, James leads the conference in rushing (90.0 ypg) and second in all-purpose yards, Wheeler leads the MEAC in kick returns (24.8 per return) and sixth in rushing. Williams is second in passing and third in total offense. Hawthorne is fourth in scoring, sophomore Aaron Bickerton leads the conference in punting (42 yard per punt) and freshman Jamarr Ebron ranks second in punt returns at almost 10 yards per return. Gallop and Hinton rank fourth and sixth in tackles, respectively.
 
NATIONAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS
 
Howard ranks 19^th in rushing yards per game and third down conversions percentage (54 percent) and passing yards allowed (141 yards per game). Wheeler ranks 23^rd in kick returns.
 
Norfolk State ranks 21^st in rushing.
 
SPECIAL CEREMONY
 
The 1993 Howard football team that finished undefeated and Black National Champs will be honored for their 30^th Anniversary at halftime.
 
NEXT UP
 
Norfolk State hosts Morgan State for homecoming Saturday (Oct. 28) while Howard travels to Dover, Del., to take on the Hornets of Delaware State at Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.