WASHINGTON - It must be a special feeling for members of the Howard football team to know that when they wake up and participate in its traditional Bison Walk on Saturday, every goal it established during preseason is attainable with a victory over rival Morgan State at Greene Stadium. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
A victory produces the following treats for Howard:
 

• A second consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship and fifth in program history.
• More importantly, a trip to Atlanta to compete in the Cricket Celebration Bowl against the winner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

 
Of course, Howard head football coach Larry Scott quickly reminded everybody who was still giddy from last week's nationally televised 50-20 demolition of then No. 7 North Carolina Central (NCCU) that the Bison still has a lot of work to do. Or in the famous words of the late Kobe Bryant following Game 4 of the 2009 Finals that gave the Lakers a 3-1 series lead against Orlando, "The job's not finished yet, so what is there to be happy about."
 
"We still have one more game," Scott said. "We have to do what we do and do it better on Saturday. Last week against North Carolina Central, we showed what we are capable of doing when we play to our standard. It's never about the opponent for us. The things we emphasize and discuss are the nuts and bolts of our program that we're building. We have program standards, and one of them is not losing at home."
 
Mind you, a victory won't be easy as the Bears also travel to the nation's capital with an opportunity to claim the MEAC title and qualify for the Celebration Bowl. A Morgan State victory combined with an NCCU loss earns the Bears an all-expense paid trip to Atlanta.  
 
One of Morgan State's wins this season was a 17-10 season-opening road victory over Richmond. The Bears have won three consecutive games, including last week's 20-17 conquest over South Carolina State. Howard will have its hands full against the Bears, ranked 12th nationally in defense. 
 
There are plenty of exciting themes happening throughout the game. The Bison are celebrating a Blue Out, where all fans are asked to wear blue. Howard students will be admitted free to the game and the first 500 students at the door will get a free t-shirt. The Bison will celebrate its annual faculty and staff appreciation day as $10 tickets are being offered, and Howard alumni have a special buy-one, get-one 50% off ticket discount.
 
Howard is honoring the following senior student-athletes: Defensive lineman Darrian Brokenburr, tight end Brennan Brown, defensive back Nasim Cooper, offensive lineman Anim Dankwah, offensive lineman Gerone Hamilton, defensive lineman Deion Harry, offensive lineman DeShawn Ingram, defensive lineman Jevin Jackson, tight end Cameron O'Neal, defensive back Clayton Perrin, running back Ian Wheeler, linebacker Christian White, defensive lineman Ian White, quarterback Quinton Williams, and defensive back Ray Williams.
 
"These seniors mean everything to this program, and they are a by-product of what Howard produces," Scott said. "If you can make it at Howard, you can make it anywhere. There have been numerous hurdles and barriers that these young men have had to navigate during their transition from high school to adulthood. They've been through three head coaches, numerous assistant coaches, COVID-19, bomb threats, and more. Yet they have stood tall and showcased their character, persistence, resilience, and excellence. They represent everything Howard stands for."
 
Everybody who attends will have the chance to be part of something special if the Bison can protect its homefield advantage.
 
#WinAndWe'reIn is the name of the game. With a win over the Bears, the Bison will have the opportunity to compete in the Cricket Celebration Bowl located in Atlanta next month.
 
This has been a memorable campaign for Howard, which earned the distinction of being named the FedEx Ground FCS National Team of the Week. Three weeks ago, senior defensive back Kenny Gallop was named the FedEx Ground FCS National Defensive Player of the Week. Gallop is also a semifinalist for the 2023 Aeneas Williams Award for the nation's best HBCU defensive back in Division I college football. 
 
"Our goal is to represent who we are as a program each week," Scott said. "We want to play to our standard on Saturday and be consistent in all phases of the game. It's exciting, but everybody understands this week will be our biggest challenge."