Football

Complete Game Notes

FOLLOWING THE GAME

Stadium
Hughes Stadium (10,000)

Notes and more
www.howard-bison.com

Series Information
Morgan State has won four in a row in the series including last year's 31-30 nail biter at Greene Stadium.  The Bears hold a 38-33-1 advantage in the series which dates back to 1889.  The four Morgan State wins during the current streak are by a total of 16 points.

The Game
This is a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference between the Bison of Howard University and the Bears of Morgan State University.  The Bison (2-3 overall, 0-2 in the MEAC) are coming off a 37-0 loss to Hampton University on the road this past Saturday while the Bears (4-1 overall, 2-0 in the MEAC) edged North Carolina A&T, 7-6 this past Saturday at home.  The loss by Howard snapped a two-game win streak while Morgan State won its fourth straight.

Following the Action
The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU as part of the MEAC/ESPNU TV package.  Charlie Neal will handle the play by play and Howard former standout Jay "Sky" Walker will provide color commentary.  The game will also be broadcast on Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN).  Lamont Germany will call the action and Mike Walker will provide analysis.

The Coaches
Howard University is coached by Carey Bailey (University of Tennessee, '92), who is in his third season at the helm and has an 8-20 record to date. Morgan State University is coached by Donald Hill-Eley (Virginia Union University, ‘91), who is in his ninth year and has a 40-44 career record to date there.

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.

Next Up
The Bison will take on the Aggies of North Carolina A&T for homecoming, 2009 on Saturday, October 24 at 1 pm while the Bears travel to Dover, DE to take on the Hornets of Delaware State on Saturday, October 24.

SETTING THE SCENE

Howard
Offense:  The offense will be led by red-shirt senior QB FLOYD HAIGLER (65 of 146, 625 yards, 3 TDs, 4 interceptions; 46 carries, 90 yards), sophomore WR WILLIE CARTER (21 receptions, 270 yards, 2 TDs), freshman TB ANDRA WILLIAMS (39 carries, 178 yards), senior WR BRANDON SHERMAN (11 receptions, 105 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 (18 solos, 14 assists, 7.5 tackles for losses, 4 QB hurries), sophomore LB IAN SIMON (16 solos, 20 assists tackles, 2.0 tackles for losses), senior DE WILL CRONER (11 solos, 15 assists, 4.5 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks), red-shirt senior LB ROBERT PARKER (11 tackles, 16 assists), red-shirt sophomore DB LANNY KELLY (5 tackles, a fumble recovery, 2 interceptions), senior safety ARANDO JAMISON (16 tackles,12 assists, 2.0 tackles for losses, a sack, a forced fumble, an interception) and red-shirt junior LB JERMELL ELLIS (11 solos, 16 assists, 2.0 tackles for losses).

Bison Hooves: Carter is tied for third in receptions per game...Haigler is sixth in total offense...Howard has scored only one rushing TD this season...Williams is averaging almost five yards per rush and is coming off a career-best 71 yards against Hampton....the Howard pass defense is allowing 15 yards per reception and has given up 8 TDs...after failing to throw an interception in the first two games, Haigler has thrown one in each of the last three games.

Morgan State
Offense: The Bears are led by senior QB CARLTON JACKSON (58 of 92, 562 yards, 4 TDs, 3 interceptions), senior RB DEVAN JAMES   (56 carries, 168 yards), sophomore WR WINFRED DIGGS (15 receptions, 98 yards), senior WR EDWIN BAPTISTE (14 receptions, 120 yards, 2 TDs) and sophomore TE LAMONT BRYAN (8 receptions, 168 yards, 1 TD).

Defense: On defense, Morgan State is led by senior LB GEORGE HOWARD (40 solos, 32 assists, 5.0 tackles for losses, 0.5 sacks, junior LBs TROY LEFTWICH (13 solos, 19 assists, 4.5 tackles for losses) and  FRED DAVIS (16 solos, 15 assists, 2.5 tackles for losses, 1.5 sacks), senior S JODY ELLIS (14 solos, 9 assists, 2 interceptions) and senior DL JUSTIN LAWRENCE (16 solos, 14 assists, 5.5 tackles for losses, 1.0 sacks).

Bear Tracks: After surrendering 41 in the season opener to Akron, Morgan State has given up only 38 in the past four...nationally, the Bears lead the nation in pass defense and are 11^th in time of possession... Morgan State leads the MEAC in pass defense, in pass efficiency defense, in fourth down conversion defense, in time of possession and in Red Zone offense...the Bears are second in scoring defense and in Red Zone defense...Morgan State is the second least penalized team in the conference...George Howard leads the conference in tackles.