WASHINGTON (November 1, 2025) — The Howard University football team defense forced a season-high three turnovers, two of which led to scores, but the Bison defense had no answer for the high-powered North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Eagles, who defeated HU, 35-14, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game at William H. Greene Memorial Stadium before a crowd of 7,779.
 
The game was pivotal for both teams with NCCU (6-3, 1-1 MEAC) coming off a 35-26 upset loss to upstart Delaware State Saturday (Oct. 25) at home. Meanwhile, the Bison were looking to move up the ranks in the conference standings following last week's thrilling 33-27 overtime win over Morgan State.
 
After Howard (4-5, 1-1 MEAC) failed to move the ball on its first possession, NCCU took over and set the tone for the game.
 
With fifth-year quarterback Walker Harris running the offense, the Eagles got on the board first when they capped off a nine-play, 65-yard drive with a 13-yard hookup between Harris and Chauncey Spikes at the 9:24 mark of the first quarter, 7-0.
 
Howard was unable to move the ball again on its ensuing possession, so Harris made them pay when he connected with Spikes from 80 yards on second down to give the visitors a 14-0 lead with 3:19 left in the first period.
 
Howard began to buckle down, defensively, and held the Eagles in check before Harris closed out the first half with a scamper that gave his team a 21-0 advantage at intermission.
 
The Buffalo Soldier defense then took matters into its own hands, forcing a NCCU fumble that was recovered at the Eagles' 12-yard line. It took the hosts three plays with graduate quarterback Tyriq Starks (Carol City, Fla.) punching his way over the goal line and cutting the deficit, 21-7, early in the third quarter.
 
But the Eagles, which came into the game ranking among the tops in the FCS in several offensive categories, including scoring and passing, put together an efficient 11-play, 80-yard drive that was finished off with a strike from Harris to Refeno Vangate that pushed the lead back to a three-possession game, 28-7.
 
But the Bison refused to quit and graduate linebacker Jay Jones II (Charlotte, N.C.) picked off a Harris pass and returned it deep into NCCU territory. Howard cashed in and cut the deficit, 28-14, with still time left in the game.
 
Then, Harris all but put the game away with another drive, this time to close out the game and send the Bison to 1-1 in the conference.
 
Starks was 17-of-27 for 149 yards, but he was sacked a season-high seven times.
 
Lost in the defeat was the play of redshirt defensive back Kedrick Green (Winston-Salem, N.C.), who recorded a career-high 12 total tackles and an interception. Senior linebacker Ja'Quavion Smith (Wingate, N.C.) finished with three total tackles, including two tackles for losses, and a blocked punt, which was Howard's third of the season.
 
Freshman Liam Allen IV (Lake Mary, Fla.) is making a strong bid for Rookie of the Year and all-conference selection. The freshman punter averaged a season-high 50 yards on five punts, including a career best 68-yard effort.
 
NEXT UP:  Howard travels to Orangeburg, S.C., to take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs Saturday (Nov. 8). The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.