WASHINGTON (September 4, 2026) – Howard University football team hosts No. 23 Richmond in its home opener Saturday (Sept. 5). Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m., at Greene Stadium and live on the MEAC Network.
 
GAME INFORMATION
 
EVENT: Richmond (Spiders) at Howard (Bison)
DATE: September 5, 2026
LOCATION: William H. Greene Stadium in D.C.
TIME: 6 p.m.
BROADCAST: MEAC NETWORK
 
The game will be broadcast over the MEAC Network. Trevin A. Jones will handle the play-by-play and Nate Henry will provide color commentary with Casaya Achampong and Amir Walker serving as statistician and spotter.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
Richmond (1-0) opened the season with a convincing 35-14 win over Bucknell. The Spiders jumped out to the early 21-0 first quarter lead and held a 28-0 halftime advantage.
 
Howard (1-0) is coming off a 31-24 victory over Alabama A&M in the season opener Saturday (Aug. 29) at the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta. Howard jumped out to the early lead before falling behind, 24-23, late in the fourth quarter. Then, graduate quarterback Ja'Shawn Scroggins (Las Vegas) engineered a game-winning drive.
 
THE SERIES
 
This season marks the fourth time that the two institutions have met. Last season, the Bison dominated the action throughout, leading 12-0 in the fourth quarter. But the Spiders rallied and capitalized on Howard's fourth quarter mistakes to win, 13-12. Richmond won 68-21 in the first meeting in 2017, 38-14 in 2021 and last year's 13-12 decision.  This is the first time that the Spiders have played in Greene Stadium.
 
THE COACHES
 
Richmond is coached by Russ Huesman (Chattanooga, '83), who is in his 10th year as head coach. Huesman is the second winningest coach in school history.
 
Howard is coached by Ted White (Howard, '98), who is in his first season.  White is both a MEAC and Howard Hall of Fame inductee, who is the all-time leading passer in conference and school history.
 
WHAT THE COACHES ARE SAYING
 
COACH HUESMAN
 
"The first things that I want to say is that they are well coached. We cannot allow them to beat us on the line of scrimmage. We have to play great on both sides of the line of scrimmage, play hard and play with unbelievable effort, energy and discipline."
 
COACH WHITE
 
"Richmond is a very scrappy team that gives you multiple looks. We must play four quarters and give maximum effort in order to compete"
 
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
RICHMOND
 
Offensively, the Spiders are led by senior quarterback Ashten Snelsine (17-of-28 for 199 yards & 3 TDs), senior running backs Aziz Foster-Powell (15 carries for 115 yards & 2 TDs; 2 receptions for 38 yards) and Jamal Brown (8 carries for 44 yards) and freshman wide receiver Bryce Allen (4 receptions for 105 yards & 2 TDs).
 
Defensively, the Spiders are led by Blake Houser (7 tackles, 2 TFLs, a sack and FF), Jackson Thorne (6 tackles), Camden Byrd (3 sacks) and Tayshaun Burney (4 tackles & 0.5 sack). Camden Byrd is the preseason Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year
 
HOWARD
 
Offensively, the Bison are led by Scroggins (19-of-36 for 315 yards & 3 TDs; 15 carries for 49 yards), junior running back Travis Kerney (13 carries for 41 yards), Billy Roberson II (7 carries for 21 yards), senior tight end Nathanial Clark (6 receptions for 39 yards & a TD), senior wide receivers Zaden Jackson (3 catches for 66 yards) and Se'Quan Osborne (2 catches for 67 years & a TD). 
 
The Buffalo Soldier defense is led sophomore linebacker Aidan Foster (6 total tackles, 2 QB hurries & a FR), graduate defensive back Kaleb Gallop (7 tackles) and Rodney Roane (3 tackles, a TFL & a FR). 
 
Junior placekicker Matt Conord (Lithia, Fla.) was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals, marking the first time that he has converted on three field goals in a game.
 
GAME NOTES
 
SPIDER WEB
 
The Spiders racked up 194 yards on the ground while holding Bucknell to 187 yards of total offense with five sacks. The Spiders jumped out to a 21-0 lead and cruised to a season-opening 35-14 win.
 
BISON HOOVES
 
Scroggins was named the MEAC and HBCU National Player of the Week. Roane was named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week. There are a number of new faces on the Howard squad, many of whom registered career-highs in the win over Alabama A&M.
 
NEXT UP
 
Howard travels to Bloomington, Ind., to take on national champion Indiana. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.