Football

Complete Game Notes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Howard University football team will be making its second appearance of the season on ESPNU when it takes on the streaking Bears of Morgan State University tonight at 7:30 pm in Hughes Stadium in Baltimore, MD.

The Bison, who made their season debut against Florida A&M University back on September 17, will be looking to stop a four-game losing streak to their Beltway foe.  It has been a hotly contested rivalry during that period as the four games have been decided by a mere 16 points and took extra periods to decide the final outcome. 

Morgan State holds a slight 36-33-1 advantage in the series.

Howard (2-3 overall, 0-2 in the MEAC) appeared to have turned things around for the season after winning two in a row.  But the Bison hit a snag when it ran in a talented Hampton University team that prevailed, 37-0 last week in Hampton, VA.

Morgan State (4-1 overall, 2-0 in the MEAC), on the other hand, is off to one of its best starts in recent years after winning its fourth straight in a 7-6 defensive striggle against a much-improved North Carolina A&T team last Saturday.

For the Bison to snap the streak, it is a simple formula. "We have to play error-free, fundamentally sound football to have a chance to beat a talented Morgan State team," offered Howard Coach Carey Bailey.  "We cannot afford to make the kinds of mistakes that we made against Hampton and give teams opportunities.  Morgan State is playing with a lot of confidence right now."

Morgan State head coach Donald Hill-Eley says that he is wary of Howard.

"When these two schools get together, you can throw records out the window," says Hill-Eley.  "Just look at the last four times that we have met.  It always comes to one or two plays and we have been fortunate to make those plays.  But Howard is talented and you know that one of these games, they are going to put it all together and get over that hump.  We are just hoping that it is not against us."

The game figures to a defensive struggle as neither team has been able to generate much offense this year.  The forecast is for rain which play right in the hands of the defenses.

"Both teams have similar problems on offense with some inexperience and inconsistency on the offensive line, so it could come down to whichever defense creates opportunities for the offense," said Bailey.

The action will be called by Charlie Neal, who will handle play by play and former Howard standout and Bison Hall of Famer, Jay "Sky" Walker, who will provide color commentary.

The game is part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference/ESPNU TV package.