MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (August 30, 2025) - Howard University sophomore kicker Matt Conord (Lithia, Fla.) nailed a 43-yard field goal with no time left to help secure a 10-9 win over long-time rival Florida A&M University (FAMU) in the 2025 Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium.
 
Conord, a sophomore transfer from Chowan, who finished third on the team in scoring while connecting on only 4-of-11, the longest being a 31 yarder.
 
"That was a career long and my first game winner," said a surprisingly composed Conord following the emotional win. "I felt pretty conformable in the situation. I trusted snapper and holder because we worked on timing all camp, so although there was pressure, I felt very comfortable. The way we played overall; I did not want to let them down."
 
Conord's deciding kick was set up by the Bison defense, which held the Rattlers high-powered offense to three field goals.
 
Both teams played it close to the vest and were unable to get untracked due to some stout opposition from both sides.
 
The Bison (1-0) managed to put points on the board when graduate quarterback Tyriq Starks (Carol City, Fla.) found rookie wideout CJ Neely (Greensboro, N.C.) from two yards out to cap off a 10-play, 53-yard drive at the 10:31 mark of the second quarter, 7-0.
 
From there, the Howard defense continued to frustrate the Rattlers' offense by stopping their running game and putting pressure on redshirt sophomore quarterback RJ Johnson, who made his first collegiate start for FAMU. The defensive effort featured some of the best tackling in recent years as the Bison bottled up the always dangerous Florida A&M playmakers.
 
Finally, the Rattlers were able to come away with a Daniel Porto 37-yard field goal with 2:03 on the clock before intermission, making it 7-3 at intermission.
 
Neither team could find any success moving the ball over the next quarter and a half until Porto converted on a 33-yard field goal with 7:46 left in the fourth quarter to make the score 7-6.
 
With the Bison offense sputtering, the Rattlers (0-1) capitalized by putting together their best drive of the day, going 61 yards on 11 plays. But again, the Bison defense stiffened in the Red Zone and forced the Rattlers to settle for yet another Porto field goal, this one from 18 yards out to put FAMU up, 9-7, with just 1:49 remaining in the final stanza.
 
Then Starks, in his first start in a Bison uniform, calmly engineered a 10-play, 49-yard drive that was capped off by Concord's 43-yard game-winner that set off a huge sideline celebration for the Bison.
 
A graduate transfer from Florida Atlantic University, Starks accounted for 175 of Howard's total offense (195 yards). He led all Bison rushers with 30 yards while going 17-of-28 for 145 yards in the air, including the game's only TD.
 
During the game-winning drive, it must be noted that graduate running back Eden James (Port St. Lucie, Fla.), who played sparingly due to an injury, had two huge pass receptions for first downs that put HU in position for the win.
 
Linebackers Cam Dyson (Wayne, Mich.), Jay Jones II (Charlotte, N.C.) and Ja'Quavion Smith (Wingate, N.C.) and defensive back Zuri Watson (St. Petersburg, Fla.) led the Bison defense, which held FAMU's offense to 272 total yards and less than three yards per rush.
 
"The game plan going in was to play solid defense on every play and not give up any big plays," said Dyson, one of the team leaders on the defense, which has several new faces. "Everyone was dialed in and we never gave up. We made stops when we needed and it was a good all-around effort and a good way to start the season."
 
NEXT UP: Howard travels to Philadelphia to take on the Owls of Temple University Saturday, September 6. Kickoff at 2 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.