PRINCETON, N.J. (September 28, 2024) - Howard University football team fell behind early and rallied in the third quarter to get within striking distance but it was not enough as the Bison fell, 30-13, to Princeton in a nonconference game at Powers Field in Princeton, N.J.
 
Princeton (1-1) set the tone on its first possession, going 69 yards in five plays while using a little less than two minutes off the clock. The scoring play was a 37-yard hookup between quarterback Blaine McAllister and Luke Coella, 7-0.
 
The Bison were unable to move the ball on their following possession but a pooch punt by redshirt senior quarterback Jaylon Tolbert (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) pinned the Tigers back at their own one-yard line.
 
Howard forced Princeton into a three-and-out and appeared to be in good shape, but Tigers' punter Brady Clark boomed a 71 yarder that pinned Howard back to its own 22-yard line.
 
On third down, Tolbert overthrew his intended receiver and it was intercepted and returned to the Howard 15. Despite the turnover, the defense stiffened and forced a 27-yard field goal, 10-0.
 
Princeton tacked on another score, following a bad snap that was kicked out of the end zone by Jaydon Green (Chicago) that resulted in a first and goal for Princeton from the Howard 5-yard line. It took the Tigers four plays, capped off by a seven-yard run by McAllister to up the margin, 17-0, with 7:39 before halftime.
 
Princeton was not finished as it capped off yet another drive with a 41-yard field goal, taking a commanding 20-0 lead at the half.
 
Howard finally got on the board when they took its second possession of the third quarter, going 82 yards in 13 plays while using 6:12 off the clock as Kasey Hawthorne (Sebring, Fla.) found a cease in the Tigers defense and scored from two yards, 23-7.
 
Using the momentum, Howard scored again in the fourth and put together another nice drive, capped by Tolber's one-yard plunge. The PAT failed as Tolbert's pass was intercepted, 23-13.
 
Princeton would go on adding another late TD to hand the Bison their second straight loss, 30-13.
 
NEXT UP: Howard has a bye next week before hosting Sacred Heart on Oct. 12 at 1 p.m., at Greene Stadium for Youth Day. All youth groups and organizations will be admitted free.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.