Complete Game Notes

The Game
This is a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference between the Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University and the Bison of Howard University. The Aggies (4-3 overall, 2-2 in the MEAC) were off last week. They dropped a 7-6 road decision to Morgan State University back on October 10 while the Bison (2-4 overall, 0-3 in the MEAC) are coming off a 14-7 loss to Morgan State University on the road this past Thursday. NC A&T has dropped two of its last three games while Howard has dropped two in a row.

Following the Action
This game will be broadcast over the Internet by logging onto the Howard University website, www.howard-bison.com or http://www.ibroadcasts.tv/howardhomecoming10242009.htm.  It will also be shown on the Jumbotron on the Yard.  HU alum Tyrone McCandies will provide all the exciting action.  Aggie fans can hear all the play by play and color commentary with veteran announcers Mel Swann, Spencer Gwynn and Billy Covington on WAAA.

The Coaches
North Carolina A&T is coached by Alonzo Lee (Eastern Illinois, ‘78), who is in his first season as head coach there. Lee is no stranger to Howard or Washington, DC, having served as an assistant coach here and prepped at Dunbar High School here. Howard University is coached by Carey Bailey (University of Tennessee, '92), who is in his third season at the helm and has a 7-21.

New Additions
Veteran assistant coach Nick Calcutta takes over the duties of offensive line coach and offensive coordinator...Jafar Williams, a former standout wide receiver at the University of Maryland, takes over as wide receivers coach for Alvin Harper...Reggie Ellis enters his first season as defensive line coach and William Smith will serve as kicking coach.

Representing
Howard is currently second among all HBCUs in players in the National Football League with five:  Tracy White (Philadelphia Eagles), Marques Douglas (New York Jets), Antoine Bethea (Indianapolis Colts), Ronald Bartell, Jr. (St. Louis Rams) and Geoff Pope (Cincinnati Bengals).  The Bison also boast three former players who are on coaching staffs: Jimmie Johnson (Minnesota Vikings/TEs coach), Pep Hamilton (Chicago Bears/QBs coach) and Roy Anderson (Baltimore Ravens/defensive coach).

Turnaround
The Bison may have finally found the punt returner they have been looking for in Jeff Miller...the junior transfer from Iona, is averaging almost 8 yards per return.

Youth Movement
Keith Pough and Andra Williams represent the Wave of the Future in Howard football.  Pough, a 6-3, 225-pound red-shirt freshman linebacker, has more than lived up to expectations.  In addition to leading the team in tackles, Pough has emerged as a playmaker.  During the Morgan State game, the talented linebacker from Orangeburg, SC, picked off a pass and returned it 10 yards to the five-yard line to set up the Bison's only score. Williams came to Howard will a lot of fanfare.  After a rocky start and some problems holding onto the ball, Williams, a 5-8, 180-pound freshman, has come on strong the past three games, rushing for 51 yards vs. Winston-Salem State, 71 vs. Hampton and a career-high 91 vs. a good Morgan State defense.

Still a Threat
Willie Carter's numbers may be a bit down from last year, but the talented sophomore wide receiver from Denmark, SC, still remains one of the most respected players in the MEAC.  The 6-2, 195-pounder still leads the team in receiving and has drawn 5 pass interference calls against Bison opponents.

Next Up
The Aggies will host Bethune-Cookman University next Saturday for their homecoming at 1:30 pm while the Bison will take on the Spartans of Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA at 1:00 pm.

Setting the Scene

Howard
Offense:  The offense will be led by red-shirt senior QB FLOYD HAIGLER (77 of 181, 750 yards, 4 TDs, 5 interceptions; 48 carries, 103 yards), sophomore WR WILLIE CARTER (24 receptions, 308 yards, 2 TDs), freshman TB ANDRA WILLIAMS (68 carries, 272 yards), senior WR BRANDON SHERMAN (14 receptions, 160 yards, 1 TD) and red-shirt senior WR TODD HUGHES (10 receptions, 93 yards).

Defense:  The defense is led by red-shirt freshman OLB KEITH POUGH (20 solos, 15 assists, 7.5 tackles for losses, 4 QB hurries), sophomore LB IAN SIMON (18 solos, 22 assists tackles, 2.5 tackles for losses), senior DE WILL CRONER (12 solos, 15 assists, 4.5 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks), red-shirt senior LB ROBERT PARKER (16 tackles, 18 assists), red-shirt sophomore DB LANNY KELLY (6 tackles, a fumble recovery, 2 interceptions), senior safety ARANDO JAMISON (18 tackles,12 assists, 2.0 tackles for losses, a sack, a forced fumble, an interception) and red-shirt junior LB JERMELL ELLIS (13 solos, 19 assists, 2.0 tackles for losses).

Bison Hooves: Carter is tied for 4th in receptions per game and 7th in receiving yards per game...Williams is 6th in rushing...Simon is tied for 9th in tackles...Pough is 7th in tackles for losses...after failing to throw an interception in the first two games, Haigler has thrown one in each of the last four games..Williams was named the MEAC Rookie of the Week for his performance against Morgan State.

North Carolina A&T
Offense: The Aggies are led by senior QB CARLTON FEARS (64 of 140, 722 yards, 4 TDs, 4 interceptions; 65 carries, 207 yards, 1 TD), sophomore RB MIKE MAYHEW (83 carries, 349 yards, 3 TDs; 11 receptions, 89 yards), freshman RB DONTAVIOUS PAYNE (59 carries, 191 yards), red-shirt sophomore WR WALLACE MILES (20 receptions, 283 yards, 3 TDs), freshman WR LARRY RAPER (11 receptions, 143 yards)

Defense: On defense, NC A&T is led by red-shirt junior LB BRANDON JACKSON (20 solos, 23 assists, 2.5 tackles for losses), senior DL JARRELL HERRING (20 solos, 20 assists, 8.0 tackles for losses, 2.0 sacks), sophomore DB JUSTIN FERRELL (17solos, 7 assists, 3 interceptions), senior DB NICK CLEMENT (19 solos, 20 assists), senior DL TYREE GLASPER (17 solos, 11 assists, 9.0 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks) and sophomore DB QUAY LONG (13 solos, 7 assists, 3 interceptions).

Aggie Barks: NC A&T is 2nd in scoring defense (16.5 ppg), in pass defense (139.5), in pass efficiency defense (104.1), in interceptions, in time of possession (31:19) and in turnover margin...Mayhew is 5th in rushing...Brandon Jackson is 4th in tackles...Glasper is tied for 2nd in tackles for losses...Quay Long leads the MEAC in interceptions.