EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (September 14, 2024) – Redshirt senior quarterback Jaylon Tolbert (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) threw a career-high four touchdowns and the defense played its best game of the season as the Howard University football team defeated Morehouse College (MC) in the HBCU NYC Classic at MetLife Stadium in front of 31,174 spectators.
 
With the win, the Bison (2-1) won their second straight contest while the Maroon Tigers remain winless (0-3).
 
Tolbert, starting for the injured quarterback Ja'Shawn Scroggins (Las Vegas), was especially sharp in the early going, engineering an 11-play, 53-yard drive that took over five minutes off the clock, ending with a three-yard scamper from fifth-year wideout Kasey Hawthorne (Sebring, Fla.), 7-0.
 
The Maroon Tigers, who came into the game averaging only 147 yards of offense on the season, played most of the first quarter behind the line of scrimmage as junior defensive lineman Noah Miles (Tampa, Fla.) and company pressured the Morehouse quarterback and stopped runners from getting positive yardage.
 
Howard, meanwhile, moved the ball 61 yards on seven plays as Tolbert capped off the drive with a 12-yard strike to sophomore wide receiver Se'Quan Osborne (Charlotte, N.C.) for his first career TD, 14-0.

"It was extremely important for me to get off to a good start," said Tolbert. "It was my first start in two years, but I felt very comfortable out there. It helps when you know that the team is behind you."
 
The Morehouse was able to settle down and finally found some rhythm when quarterback Miles Scott connected with Ajani Williams from 16 yards to cut the deficit in half, 14-7, with 7:26 remaining before intermission.
 
Howard countered with a 33-yard pass from Tolbert to freshman Ke'Untae Mosley (Laurens, S.C.), 21-7. It was also Mosley's first career TD.
 
The Bison got on the board early in the third quarter, courtesy of a Morehouse turnover.  Tolbert capitalized with his third TD of the day, a 20-yard strike to senior wide receiver Richie Ilarraza (Clearwater, Fla.) at the 9:11 mark, 28-7.
 
Early fourth quarter, the Bison added an insurance score when Tolbert tossed his fourth TD of the game, this time to graduate wide receiver Isiah Williams (Rockville, Md.) from 20 yards out, 35-7.
 
The pesky Maroon Tigers refused to go away and scored back-to-back TDs during a six-minute stretch to cut the margin, 35-21, with less than two minutes remaining, but hopes of a miraculous comeback ended as the Bison shut the door and ran out the clock to secure the win.
 
On the day, Tolbert completed 23-of-41 for 267 yards with four TDs.

"It is a team game, so I just executed the plays that were given to me," explained Tolbert. "My guys were open, so I just gave them a chance to make a play on the ball and do something with it."
 
Graduate running back Jarett Hunter (Mineral, Va.) had another steady game with 92 yards on 23 carries.
 
Ilarraza caught a career-high eight receptions to lead all receivers.
 
Miles continues to show up big, this time with three sacks.
 
"We came in with the intent to dominate as a defense," noted Miles. "The more plays we make as a unit, the better our defense will be as we move forward."
 
All-American safety Kenny Gallop Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) contributed six total tackles and a half sack.          
 
NEXT UP: Howard plays rival Hampton Saturday (Sept. 21) in the annual Truth & Service Classic at Audi Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.