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.
 
"For us, we want to get better each week," commented Howard head coach Larry Scott following the game.  "We took last week's loss (55-7 at Temple) and worked on the things that we need to do to get better and we were able to do that today. So, we will take the win and continue to build on it."
 
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.
 
"I take pride in being able to use my legs and arms to be effective," said Starks, who leads the team in passing and rushing. "Today, I was able to help the offense with both. It was a good day for us on offense, defense and special teams. It was definitely a team victory."
 
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. It was Simmons' first catch and first TD of his career.
 
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-yard 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.
 
Defensively, it was a team effort as 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.
 
"Our game plan for this game was like any other in terms of preparation," said redshirt junior defensive lineman Derrick Brown Jr. (Fort Washington, Md.), who was among several players on defense who made life difficult for the Maroon Tiger offense. "We were able to apply pressure and make stops. My mindset was to play in their backfield."
 
The special teams' unit got into the act by blocking a huge MC field goal attempt that would have made the game interesting and it later pressured the Maroon Tigers into a miscue that resulted in a score by the Bison offense.
 
"At that point, their offense had some momentum," Brown stated, who was credited with the block. "It was important because any time you get a play like that, it can change the game."
 
Second-year tailback Travis Kerney (Sebring, Fla.) added 53 yards (career-high) rushing and 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.
 
For Howard, it was a good win, but this was much more than a football game on the schedule.
 
"Playing in this Classic is always a good feeling for me," Brown continued, who played in his second classic. "I get a chance to come out to New York and play in an NFL stadium against a fellow HBCU. It gives us a chance to showcase our (HBCU) football skills and brand to the world."
 
For both institutions, this was the third consecutive year competing in the annual classic.
 
"With all things going on in this country, the landscape is changing," Scott concluded. "Here were two prominent HBCU programs getting together for a classic in an NFL stadium. It was more than the game; it was a chance to get together and showcase our brands as HBCUs."
 
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.