WASHINGTON (September 16, 2023) - The Howard University football team appeared to have the game in hand, leading 34-21 early in the fourth quarter, but a costly special team mistake that led to one of their two scores in a five-minute span propelled Hampton University to a 35-34 victory and heartbreaker before 16,630 screaming fans in the Truth & Service Classic at Audi Field.
 
"It hurts when you lose a game like that," lamented Howard Head Coach Larry Scott in the postgame interview. "Those critical mistakes on the snap and punt are the routine plays we have to make. We didn't execute."
 
Howard (1-2) controlled the game, leading 14-0, 21-7 and 31-14 with 6:11 in the third. The Bison offense was led by its senior wideout Kasey Hawthorne (Sebring, Fla.), who performed a feat not seen in years with one pass TD, one rushing TD and one receiving touchdown. Each of his scores came when the team needed separation from their rival.
 
After throwing his first TD as a Bison with almost 11 minutes in the third period, the multi-talented player from Florida went down with an injury, taken to the locker room and did not return. It seemed to have an effect on the Bison offense.
 
"Too bad we didn't have him in there at the end," said Scott on Hawthorne. "His playmaking ability and versatility are important part of what we do. He is a very talented player and not having him out there definitely had an impact. We missed him."
 
Hawthorne suffered a head injury on his TD pass to fellow classmate tight end Brennan Brown (Dallas) early in the third quarter. He has accounted for seven TDs in three games.
 
But the Pirates (2-1) never quit and the break they were looking for came on a Howard special teams' miscue. On a fourth down punt attempt by the Bison, the ball was snapped over second-year punter Aaron Bickerton (Stoke-on-Trent, England) head. He went back to retrieve the ball, but with the hard-charging Pirates bearing down on him near his goal line, Bickerton attempted to run but was stopped after a very short gain. More importantly, it gave Hampton the short field and they immediately capitalized to make the score 34-28 with plenty of time on the clock.
 
Next possession, the Pirates held the Bison and forced them to punt. With the momentum shift, Hampton put together a 63-yard drive in seven plays that resulted in a one-yard plunge by quarterback Chris Zellous. The ensuing conversion was good, giving them the first lead of the game, 35-34.
 
Howard was still in good shape with 3:03 left on the game clock. The Bison were able to move the ball, but Hampton sealed the deal with an interception that was tipped.
 
The Pirates let the clock run off the last seconds and escaped with their seventh straight win over Howard in this heated rivalry.
 
"Every time we play them, it comes down to this scenario," says Scott. "But that's what rivalry games are about. This is the third time we have played them since I have been here and each time it comes down to this. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth but kudos to them. They finished the game and we did not. For the next 365 days, they will have bragging rights."
 
Howard came into the game as one of the top rushing teams in the FCS, but Hampton held them to 116 yards while piling up 265 yards on the ground and four TDs.
 
Graduate running back Ian Wheeler (Houston) led the ground attack for the Bison with 66 yards on 11 carries. Backfield mate senior Jarett Hunter (Mineral, Va.) contributed 57 on 21 carries.
 
The Bison were playing their second straight game without their outstanding sophomore running back Eden James (Port St. Lucie, Fla.), who is out with a shoulder injury.
 
DMV native graduate quarterback Quinton Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md.) had another efficient day for Howard, completing 19-of-38 for 273 yards and two TDs. His late-game interception was his first of the season, the first turnover of the season for Howard.
 
"It all comes down to missed opportunities," said Williams, who is having his best season. "We have to learn from this and get ready for the rest of the season."
 
Defensively, senior defensive back Kenny Gallop, Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) continues to show why he is regarded as a strong All-America candidate. The Virginia product recorded eight total tackles (seven solos), a quarterback hurry, forced fumble and fumble recovery.
 
Junior linebacker Terrance Hollon (Cleveland) and graduate linebacker Christian White (Highland Springs, Va.) also continue to play at a high level. Hollon finished with six total tackles and White with five total tackles and a pass breakup.
 
BISON HOOVES: Statistics can often be misleading: The Bison controlled the following categories: possession clock (33-28); first downs (25-17); third down conversions (70 percent-25 percent) and penalties (Howard, 5 and Hampton, 11), but big plays ultimately decided the outcome. Hampton averaged 6.7 yards per offensive play, including a whopping 7.6 per rush.
 
NEXT UP: Howard gets a bye next week before returning to action Saturday, September 30, at Robert Morris. Kickoff is slated for noon.

Derek W. Bryant, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information, and Sareyah Rudd, MJFC major, c/o '25, contributed to this story.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.