WASHINGTON (October 21, 2023) – Graduate quarterback Quinton Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md.) connected with senior running back Jarett Hunter (Mineral, Va.) from 15 yards out for the go-ahead score while senior defensive back Kenny Gallop, Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) helped stave off a late rally with a game-clinching interception to help Howard University get by Norfolk State (NSU) in a hard-fought 27-23 win before an overflow homecoming crowd at Greene Stadium.
 
After the Spartans (2-5, 0-1 MEAC) took a 23-20 lead on a 36-yard field goal with a little under six minutes in regulation, the offense, which had been stymied for most of the game, came alive at the right time. Williams drove his team 64 yards in nine plays that took almost five minutes off the clock and culminated in the hookup with Hunter. The conversion was good and the Bison led 27-23 with 1:17 left.
 
Norfolk State got possession and proceeded to march down the field quickly to the Bison 41-yard line. But with the clock running down and no timeouts left, the Spartans were forced to pass down the field where Gallop, an All-American safety, made a play on the Howard one-yard line with an interception, giving the ball to Howard with just five ticks left on the game clock. Williams took a knee and the clock ran out, preserving the victory.
 
Howard (3-4, 1-0 MEAC) got on the board early in the first quarter on a one-yard dive by Williams, following an efficient 83-yard drive that took over eight minutes off the clock. The conversion failed and the Bison led 6-0 just four minutes into the game.
 
Then, the Spartans began to take control of the game, marching 65 yards on 11 plays. The Bison defense stiffened and the Spartans had to settle for a 20-yard field goal by Wilcox, the first of three on the day for him.
 
The Spartans came right back and proceeded to march 76 yards on 10 plays that was culminated by NSU running back Xevion King, making the score, 10-6.
 
Norfolk State added on yet another score, this time on a 14-yard TD pass from Otto Kuhns to Keving King, upping the score, 17-6, with 1:03 remaining before halftime.
 
Following an inspiring kick return by graduate running back Ian Wheeler (Houston), Williams was able to march his team to the NSU 13-yard line. Howard was unable to score a TD, so they had to settle for an Aaron Bickerton (Stoke-on-Trent, England) 30-yard field goal. The Bison trailed, 17-9, at intermission.
 
Howard came out energized in the second half and began to shut down the Spartans' offense in the third quarter. The Bison crept a little closer when Bickerton converted on a 31-yard field goal that cut the deficit, 17-12, with 12:05 left in the third quarter.
 
The Spartans were able to extend their lead, 20-12, early in the fourth stanza.
 
Howard then got a shot in the arm from sophomore running back Eden James (Port St. Lucie, Fla.), who took a short Williams pass and ran around and by defenders en route to a 45-yard TD, but more importantly, tie the game at 20 apiece.
 
The Spartans responded with a 36-yard by Wilcox, his third of the day. That set up the Bison's final victory drive.

"In these kind of games, you have to hang in there and keep fighting one play at a time, even under adversity and find ways to win," said Howard Head Coach Larry Scott. "It's not always going to be pretty.  It was a great team win, especially it being a conference game."
 
Hunter led all rushers with 64 yards on 12 carries while Williams chipped in with 42 on five carries. The DMV native was also 14-of-24 for 240 yards. His main target was Richie Ilarraza (Clearwater, Fla.), who led all receivers with five receptions for 42 yards.
 
On defense, the Bison got a big boost from Gallop, who tallied 11 total tackles (five solos), a tackle for loss, a half sack and of course, the big interception at the end.

"Norfolk State showed us something different so we had to make some adjustments in the second half," explained Gallop, one of the top safeties in the FCS.  "We tackled better and played more physical.  It was a good effort by the defense."
 
NEXT UP: Howard travels to Dover, Del., Saturday, October 28 to take on Delaware State. Kickoff is set for noon on ESPNU.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.