Moon Township, Pa. (September 29, 2023) - Following a bitter defeat against rival Hampton two weeks ago (Sept. 16), the Howard University football returns to the gridiron in a nonconference game at Robert Morris (RMU). The kickoff is scheduled for noon (ET) at the Joe Walton Stadium.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
The game will be aired on ESPN+ and Bison Nation can also follow via live stats.
 
You can catch all the action on the Howard Sports Radio Network. Trevin Jones will handle the play-by-play, Nathaniel Henry the color commentary and Sareyah Rudd will provide sideline interviews.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
The Bison (1-2 overall) were on their way to victory, leading 34-21 in the fourth quarter, but a key mistake on special teams led to 14 straight points and a 35-34 decision in favor of the Pirates. Despite the loss, Howard had a number of bright spots.

On offense, the team continues to show the desired balance of rushing and passing. Without the services of sophomore Eden James (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) for the past two games, senior Kasey Hawthorne (Sebring, Fla.) has emerged as a triple threat. The Florida native performed a rare feat in college football, accounting for three touchdowns--one passing, one receiving and another rushing. For his efforts, he was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week.
 
When the multi-talented Hawthorne, who has accounted for six touchdowns in the first three games, went out with a head injury early in the third quarter, the offense felt his loss.
 
His status and that of James (shoulder injury) for this game is unknown at present time.
 
Graduate quarterback Quinton Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md.) continues to show consistency. The 6-foot-5 DMV native completed to eight different receivers; however, he did throw his first interception of the season.
 
Defensively, Christian White (Highland Springs, Va.), All-American Kenny Gallop, Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.), Carson Hinton (Detroit) and Terrance Hollon (Cleveland) continue to play at a high level.
 
Despite the costly gaffe on special teams, the play was solid in the kicking game.
 
THE COACHES
 
Howard is coached by Larry Scott (South Florida, '00), who is in fourth year with the program, while RMU is led by Bernard Clark, Jr. (University of Miami, '89), who is in his sixth season.
 
SERIES RECORD
 
The two schools met September 25, 2021, and RMU prevailed, 22-16, in a game that ended in controversy.
 
KEY PLAYERS
 
ROBERT MORRIS
 
Robert Morris is led offensively by redshirt running back Cyrus Bonsu (35 carries, 144 yards), redshirt freshman quarterback Zin'tayvious (12 carries, 126 yards and 2 TDs; 2-of-4 passing, 71 yards and a TD), redshirt sophomore wide receiver Noah Robinson (26 receptions, 413 yards and 4 TDs) and graduate tight end Chaese Jackson (11 receptions, 127 yards and 3 TDs).
 
Defensively, the Colonials are paced by redshirt senior linebacker Jamar Shegos (23 total tackles and an INT), redshirt sophomore linebacker Dee Pierce (22 total tackles) and graduate linebacker Tyler King (17 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss).
 
HOWARD
 
Howard is led by graduate running back Ian Wheeler (23 carries, 186 yards and a TD), Hawthrone (14 carries, 160 yards and 4 TDs; 8 receptions, 125 yards and 2 TDs), senior running back Jarett Hunter (36 carries, 144 yards and 2 TDs; 8 receptions, 91 yards and a TD), James (9 carries, 96 yards in one game), Williams (52-of-97, 672 yards, 7 TDs and an INT) and redshirt freshman wide receiver Breylin Smith (11 receptions, 120 yards and 2 TDs).
 
Defensively, White (14 total tackles, 2 pass breakups and a sack), Gallop (18 total tackles, a TFL, a FR and FF), Hinton (16 total tackles) and Hollon (11 total tackles, team-leading 3.5 TFLs and a sack).
 
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 season-long 38-yarder. As a punter, he is averaging a career-best 46 yards per punt, including three of over 50 yards.
 
Junior Dylan West (Akron, Ohio) serves as kickoff and PAT specialist. He is perfect on PATs this season.
 
Through three games, the Bison have only one turnover, Williams' interception in the fourth quarter against Hampton.
 
NEXT UP
 
Robert Morris takes on Gardner Webb Saturday (Oct. 7) on the road while the Bison will travel to Evanston, Ill., to take on the Wildcats of Northwestern in a 3 p.m. (ET) kickoff.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.