WASHINGTON (November 22, 2025) - Howard University football team played its best game of the season in all three phases to dominate Norfolk State, 44-15, in the regular season finale for both teams. The game was played at Audi Field in Southwest D.C.
 
The win snapped a three-game losing streak by the Bison while the Spartans (1-11, 0-5 MEAC) ended the season on a 10-game losing streak.
 
It did not start out that way for Howard (5-7, 2-3). Norfolk State took the opening kickoff and marched smartly 78 yards in eight plays to top open the scoring, 7-0.
 
The Bison put together a drive of their own, getting in the Spartans' red zone but a trick play pass by freshman wideout CJ Neely (Greensboro, N.C.) was intercepted in the end zone, thwarting the potential scoring drive.
 
Then, the Howard defense, ranked among the league leaders in several statistical categories, began to flex.
 
After turning Norfolk State on downs, Howard drove 74 yards in eight plays with sophomore running back Travis Kerney (Sebring, Fla.) scoring on a 4-yard rushing TD, 7-6.
 
Before the Bison could celebrate the game-tying score, the Spartans not only blocked the pending kick conversion, but Daylan Young returned it 96 yards for the two-point conversion, making the score 9-6 early in the second quarter.
 
From there, the Bison offense began to click.
 
Sophomore running back Anthony Reagan Jr. (Woodbury, N.J.) began to find room in the Spartans defense and scored back-to-back touchdowns, first on a 4-yard run at the 6:32 mark, and then on a seven-yard pass from graduate quarterback Tyriq Starks (Carol City, Fla.) a little less than three minutes later.
 
Sophomore placekicker Matt Conord (Lithia, Fla.) got into the act and capped off a drive with a 27-yard field to give the Bison a 23-9 halftime lead. It was the most points that Howard has scored in a half this season, but the Bison were not done. 
 
Redshirt senior tight end Montrell Walker (Mount Juliet, Tenn.), who had his best day in a Bison uniform, grabbed a 4-yard pass from Starks to increase the score, 30-9, with 8:40 on the clock in the third quarter.
 
Reagan would add another TD, this time on a 56-yarder in which he raced untouched to make it 37-9 with 6:55 left in the third quarter.
 
Norfolk State would finally stop the bleeding when Parker Lancaster connected with Cam'Ryn Thomas on a 34-yard hookup near the end of the third quarter, 37-15.
 
Howard would close out the scoring on a 11-yard TD pass from Starks to graduate wide receiver Andre Cooper II (Orlando, Fla.), 44-15.
 
Reagan had the best day of his young career, accounting for 222 yards of all-purpose and three total TDs.
 
Starks had his most efficient day of the season, completing 24-of-34 for 279 yards and three TDs.
 
Walker had a career-high six receptions for 128 yards and a TD.
 
Freshman wideout Antonio Hunter (Cincinnati), who has come on of late, grabbed four passes; thus, giving him 12 in the past two games.
 
In all, the Howard offense, which has struggled at times during the recent skid, amassed 434 yards, converting on 11-of-15 third down conversions.
 
Defensively, Howard shut down the Spartans, forcing them to fail to convert on only 2-of-12 third downs conversions while sacking the Spartans quarterbacks six times.
 
Redshirt junior defensive lineman Derrick Brown Jr. (4 total tackles & 2 sacks), sophomore linebacker Ja'Quavion Smith (5 total tackles & 1.5 sacks), redshirt junior defensive backs Kaleb Gallop (4 total tackles & 0.5 TFLs) and Kedrick Green (4 total tackles & 0.5 TFLs) spearheaded the Buffalo Soldier defense.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.