Evanston, Ill. (October 6, 2023) --The Howard University football team will be looking to build on last week's 35-10 win over Robert Morris, playing its best game of the young season. It faces a formidable opponent in Northwestern University (2-3 overall). The kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. (ET) / 2 p.m. (CT) at Ryan Field.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION 
 
The game will be aired on the Big Ten Network (BTN) and you can catch all the action on the Howard Sports Radio Network. Trevin Jones will handle the play-by-play; Nathaniel Henry will provide the color commentary and Sareyah Rudd will provide sideline interviews.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
On offense, the team continues to show the desired balance of rushing and passing. Without the services of senior multi-talented playmaker Kasey Hawthorne (accounts for 6 TDs on the season), the Bison got an outstanding effort from graduate running back Ian Wheeler (Houston), who accounted for a career-high 214 yards of all-purpose yards, including a 59-yard rushing TD and a kick return of 88 yards, the third of his career.
 
Hawthorne's availability is unknown at present time.
 
Graduate quarterback Quinton Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md.) continues to show consistency. The 6-foot-5 graduate completed passes to 10 different receivers, good for a TD while also scoring two on the ground on short plunges.
 
Defensively, Howard was boosted by the return of its leader and all-MEAC selection graduate defensive lineman Darrian Brokenburr (Manassas, Va.), who has been nagged by injuries the past two seasons. The Virginia native spearheaded the Bison with six solo tackles and a tackle for a loss. Howard also got a surprise performance by junior defensive tackles Jamel Stewart (Richmond, Va.), who turned in his best effort of his career with five solos, including a sack and a tackle for a loss. Senior linebacker Christian White (Highland Spring, Va.), senior All-American safety Kenny Gallop, Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.), senior defensive back Carson Hinton (Detroit) and junior linebacker Terrance Hollon (Cleveland) also continue to play at a high level of consistency.
 
The special teams played their best game of the young season.
 
SERIES RECORD
 
This is the first meeting between the two schools.
 
KEY PLAYERS
 
NORTHWESTERN
 
Northwestern is led offensively by senior running back Cam Porter (56 carries & 221 yards), graduate quarterback Ben Bryan (96-of-161 passing, 926 yards, six TDs & three interceptions.), senior wide receiver A.J Henning (12 carries, 76 yards, a TD; 17 receptions, 109 yards & 2 TDs) senior wide receiver Bryce Kirtz (20 receptions, 286 yards & 2 TDs) and Cam Johnson.
 
Defensively, the Wildcats are paced by their senior duo of linebacker Bryce Gallagher (51 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for losses and an interception) and Xander Mueller (34 total tackles, 4 tackles for losses, 1.5 sacks and an interception), senior defensive back Coco Azema (26 total tackles) and sophomore defensive back Devin Turner (28 total tackles, team-leading three pass breakups).
 
HOWARD
 
Howard is led by Wheeler (27 carries, 267 yards & 2 TDs; 8 receptions, 117 yards), Hawthorne (14 carries, 160 yards, 4 TDs; 8 receptions, 125 yards & 2 TDs), senior running back Jarett Hunter (45 carries, 167 yards & 2 TDs; 10 receptions, 117 yards & a TD), sophomore running back Eden James (21 carries, 136 yards), Williams (65-of-113, 842 yards, 8 TDs & an interception) and redshirt freshman wide receiver Breylin Smith (12 receptions, 124 yards & 2 TDs).
 
Defensively, White (19 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and 2 pass breakups), Gallop (21 total tackles, a tackle for a loss, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and an interception), Hinton (21 total tackles, a tackle for a loss) and Hollon (17 total tackles, team-leading 3.5 tackles for losses and a sack).
 
WHAT THE COACHES ARE SAYING
 
David Braun of Northwestern, Interim Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator who is in his first season: "That is a darn good football team we are playing. We have to prepare because if we are not at our best, they are capable of coming in here and beating us."
 
Larry Scott of Howard, Head Coach who is in his fourth season: "Northwestern is a good, smart and tough football team that does well with their schemes. The key is for Howard to play Bison football, one play at a time. Bison cannot beat Bison."
 
WILDCAT SCREAMS
 
This is homecoming for Northwestern. The Wildcats have allowed 18 sacks in five games. The offense is 14-of-15 in the Red Zone. The Northwestern defense is holding opponents to less than 300 yards of total offense.
 
BISON HOOVES
 
Sophomore placekicker/punter Aaron Bickerton (Stoke-on-Trent, England) is having an outstanding season. The England native is a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals with a long of 38 yards while averaging a career best 46 yards per punt, including three of over 50 yards.
 
Dylan West (Akron, Ohio), also a sophomore, serves as kickoff and PAT specialist. He is perfect on PATs this season.
 
Through four games, the Bison have only three turnovers all season. Howard has outscored its opponents, 45-7, in the third quarter this season but do not fare as well in the fourth quarter, having been outscored 27-17. The Howard offense is averaging 467 yards of offense.
 
NEXT UP
 
Northwestern has a bye next week before returning to conference action on October 21 at Nebraska. The Bison travel to Cambridge, Mass., to take on Harvard Saturday (Oct. 14).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.