EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (September 13, 2025) – Graduate quarterback Tyriq Starks (Carol City, Fla.) threw for two TDs and ran for another to lead the Howard University football team to a 38-20 win over Morehouse College (MC) in the annual HBCU NYC Classic at Met Life Stadium.
 
Howard took control, dominating the line of scrimmage with over 425 yards of total offense.
 
A graduate transfer from FAU (Florida Atlantic), Starks accounted for 270 total yards, completing 16-of-27 for 241 yards while rushing for another 29 yards and a TD to lead the Bison attack, which came into the game, having scored only 17 points in two games. For his efforts, he was named the classic's MVP.
 
The Bison (2-1) got on the board first when Starks connected with rookie wideout John Simmons III (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) from 19 yards with 8:24 on the clock in the first quarter.
 
Morehouse (0-2) countered with a 39-yard field goal with 3:23 left in the first stanza.
 
Starks tossed his second TD pass of the game, this time to junior wide receiver Zaden Jackson (Mansfield, Texas) from 52 yards to take a 14-3 lead to the locker room.
 
The feisty Maroon Tigers opened the second half with a 12-play, 69-yards drive that culminated in a 24-yard TD pass, 14-10.
 
As important as Starks was to the victory with his passing and running, the defense and special teams were equally effective.
 
The Buffalo Soldier defense had its best day of the season, limiting the Maroon Tigers to 182 yards of total offense, including 54 yards on the ground.
 
The special teams unit blocked a huge MC field goal attempt that would have made the game interesting and later pressured the Maroon Tiger into a miscue that resulted in a score by the Bison offense.
 
Second-year tailback Travis Kerney (Sebring, Fla.) added 53 yards rushing and fellow classmate Anthony Reagan Jr. (Woodbury, N.J.) had his best day in a Bison uniform with a career-high 48 yards on seven carries and two TDs.
 
Graduate wideout Andre Cooper II (Orlando, Fla.) had his best day, grabbing a team-high four passes for 80 yards.
 
Defensively, it was a team effort as the Howard forced its first turnover of the year, an interception by graduate linebacker Jay Jones II (Charlotte, N.C.) and recorded five tackles behind the line and harassed the Morehouse quarterbacks all day.
 
NEXT UP: Howard takes on Hampton in the annual P&G Truth & Service Classic, presented by EventsDC, Saturday (Sept. 20) at Audi Field in D.C. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.