Ronald Venters passed for one touchdown and set up two field goals to lead the offense in Howard University’s intra-squad scrimmage.
Venters, a senior quarterback who red-shirted last season, completed 12 of 16 passes for 180 yards. Most of his passes were directed to sophomore wide receiver Larry Duncan (C.H. Flowers HS), who grabbed four for 60 yards and a TD.
“I was especially pleased with the play of our quarterbacks,” said Howard Coach Rayford Petty. “I thought Venters threw the ball well and managed the offense.” Petty also cited the play of reserve Darrell Turner, a red-shirt freshman, who completed five of nine passes, including a 55-yard strike to senior wide receiver Thyron Lewis.
Petty singled out several players on the offense: freshman running back Jerrel Smith; sophomore wide receivers Lawrence Hellams and Alandus Hood; and the starting offensive line which did not allow a sack.
The defense, which was missing starters, senior defensive tackle Jesse Hayes and junior linebacker Robert Dowdy to injuries, was led by junior defensive tackle Edwin Piner, junior linebacker Timothy Lockett and senior safety Antoine Bethea, who picked off a pass and recovered a fumble.
“I thought the defense did a good job of stopping the offense when they had to,” said Petty of his unit that returns seven starters. “There were a couple of times when they (the offense) had good drives, but the defense toughened and forced field goals.”
Ndapa Mendy, freshman walk-on kicker, hit on field goals of 35 and 37 yards.
The Bison open the season on September 3 at home against Winston-Salem State.