Ypsilanti, Mich. (September 1, 2023) - Howard University football team spotted Eastern Michigan (EMU) a 30-9 halftime lead and then rallied to make it a one possession game before falling, 33-23, in a non-conference showdown at Rynearson Stadium.
 
It was the season opener for both teams and the Eagles (1-0) showed why they are one of the favorites in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
 
EMU bolted out to the early lead, taking advantage of Howard mistakes. They got good field position and went six plays for 50 yards to take a 7-0 lead at the 11:17 mark of the first quarter.
 
Howard failed to convert on its next possession and were forced to punt deep in their own territory. It resulted in a safety on a poor snap and the Eagles extended its advantage, 9-0.
 
EMU's next score was on an 84-yard kick return by Jaylon Jackson, 16-0.
 
Eastern Michigan answered with yet another score when Austin Smith connected with Tanner Knue, upping the margin to 23-0.
 
The Bison (0-1) finally got on the board when graduate quarterback Quinton Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md.) connected with rookie wideout Jamarr Ebron (Washington) from 69 yards to make the score, 23-6, following the missed PAT attempt. The TD reception was the D.C. native's first career catch.

"We made a lot of mistakes and shot ourselves in the foot," explained safety Kenny Gallop, Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.). "That touchdown energized us. It was the first TD of the season, but more importantly, we started to feel differently about ourselves as a team after that."
 
The Eagles answered quickly when Hamze El-Zayat took the ensuing kickoff and raced untouched 96 yards to open to what appeared to be an insurmountable lead at 30-9 at the break.
 
The Bison were able to get three points on the board just before the half when sophomore kicker Aaron Bickerton (Stoke-on-Trent, England) connected on a 38-yard field goal.
 
The Bison came out of the locker room with a 180 turnaround and began to take over the game, using its vaunted running game that featured a four-prong attack of graduate Ian Wheeler (Houston), seniors Kasey Hawthorne (Sebring, Fla.) and Jarett Hunter (Mineral, Va.) and second-year Bison Eden James (Port St. Lucie, Fla.).

The defense, which had been victimized several times on third down conversions in the first half, began to force the Eagles into three and outs. The Bison limited the high-scoring Eagles (who averaged over 400 yards of total offense and 35 points per game in 2022) to only three points in the second half.

"We made some adjustments at halftime and played our game," said Hawthorne, perhaps the most versatile player on the team. "The defense stepped up and we played with a different energy."
 
The Howard offense controlled the clock and scored 14 unanswered points to get to within a one-possession game, 30-23, with ample time remaining in the fourth quarter.
 
The Bison were in great position to tie the game with a first-and-10 from their own 45-yard line, but a key double penalty of intentional grounding and a personal foul backed up the Bison and they never recovered.
 
The veteran Eagles, who played in a bowl game last year, put the game away, going on an 11-play, 71-yard drive that took over seven minutes off the clock and ended with a 25-yard field goal for the final score.

"Coach (Larry) Scott always says 'you never lose; you just learn'," noted Hawthorne. "This is going to help us the rest of the season."
 
James led all rushers with 96 yards on just nine rushes. Wheeler came alive in the important second half and finished with 58 yards on seven carries. 
 
Hawthorne had one of his best days as a Bison, rushing for 47 yards on seven carries and touchdown while also grabbing three passes for 37 yards and a TD.
 
Defensively, Gallop and graduate linebacker Christian White (Highland Springs, Va.) led the way with seven total tackles apiece.
 
Detroit native graduate defensive back Ray Williams returned to the grind iron after missing most of last season, recording an interception in the loss.

"We have learned to face adversity and we are able to play through it," says Gallop, a preseason first team all-conference selection and a team captain. "We will take this with us and continue to grow as a program."
 
On Sept. 9, HU hosts Morehouse in its home opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Greene Stadium on ESPN+.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.