Howard University Athletics

WASHINGTON (November 14, 2026) -- Billy Roberson II (Lake Orion, Mich.) rushed for a career-high 160 yards and three touchdowns and the defense stood tall in the second half as the Howard University football team pulled away to a 30-24 win over Delaware State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) showdown at Greene Stadium before 4,185 fans.
 
A sophomore, who entered the season as the third string running back, Roberson has come on strong of late. But his heroics would not come until later in the game.
 
The Hornets got on the board first when Jayden Jenkins capped off an eight-play, 71-yard drive with an 11-yard bolt early in the first quarter, 7-0.
 
Delaware State (6-5, 2-2 MEAC) got it going by taking advantage of an Isaiah Freeman (Chester, Pa.) interception. It took the visitors from Dover four plays to travel 44 yards with Jenkins finishing it off a five-yard burst, 14-0, at the 9:12 mark in the opening frame.
 
Then Roberson scored from five yards out following an eight-play, 69-yard drive that helped the Bison narrow the deficit, 14-7, to close out the quarter.
 
It took Delaware State 14 plays to go 58 yards and almost nine minutes consumed on the drive to up the score, 21-7, with a less than two minutes in the half. Much of the yardage came as result of Howard penalties.
 
Freeman engineered a nice seven-play drive that Roberson finished off with a two-yard burst that got the Bison to within a one-possession game, 21-14, at the end of the half.
 
"There was special incentive today," stated Roberson. "We knew that it was senior day and it was the time they will play at Greene Stadium. So, I wanted to give that special effort to ensure that they go out with a win, not just for them but also for the program."
 
From there, the Howard defense, which has played well all season, took over, limiting the Hornets only a 42-yard field goal by Matteo Bracalenti after intermission.
 
Roberson added his third TD of the game, this one from 27 yards, 21-21.
 
With the Hornets offense unable to move the ball, the Bison took advantage and closed the door.
 
Freeman would add yet another TD on a 15-yard jaunt at the 6:45 mark of the fourth quarter that opened the 28-21 lead with 5:44 left. DSU's field goal cut into the lead, 28-24, following a turnover on ball on downs.
 
The game ended on a Howard safety.
 
Howard (5-6, 2-2 MEAC) got another outstanding performance from Freeman, who rushed for 76 yards and a TD and had an efficient passing day, going 14-of-23 for 166 yards.
 
The offense had its second-best productive day on the season with 451 yards.
 
Defensively, the Buffalo Soldier defense limited the Hornets to 229 yards of total offense, recording four sacks and three forced fumbles.
 
Graduate safety Kaleb Gallop (Portsmouth, Va.) had perhaps his all-around play in a Bison uniform, finishing with a career-high 12 total tackles (three solos) and a key interception.
 
"It was actually a bittersweet feeling out there today," said Gallop, the team leader in tackles. "This was the last home game for the seniors, so we wanted to make sure that we would go out strong and help build for the future of the program. It was definitely a team win."
 
On a negative note, Howard was penalized 13 times for 148 yards. It helped extend Delaware State dives and halt the Bison's efforts.
 
"That is not good at all," noted Bison head coach Ted White of the penalties. "We pride ourselves on being smart and disciplined. That is definitely a concern that we need to address."
 
On the positive side, Matt Conord (Lithia, Fla.) has become one of the most prolific placekickers/punters in recent history. The punter/placekicker has converted on 10-of-12 field goals and his punting has become even more spectacular, averaging almost 45.0 yards per punt on the season.
 
NEXT UP: Howard closes out the 2026 season against the Spartans of Norfolk State Saturday (Nov. 21) at noon inside Dick Price Stadium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.