WASHINGTON, DC—Charles Brice romped for a career-high 161 yards and three touchdowns  to lead Howard University to a 28-14 win over Lincoln University in a non-conference game at Greene Stadium.  The win snapped an 11-game losing skid for the Bison.

After a slow start where both teams failed to score in the first quarter, Howard (1-4) took advantage of good field position and drove 50 yards in seven plays, with Brice sprinting 34 yards for the score at the 11:52 mark of the second quarter.

The two teams exchanged turnovers and the Bison were in business again, this time, an eight-play, 72-yard drive that was culminated on a 12-yard Brice jaunt that upped the margin to 14-0 with 2:49 left in the second half.

Howard stopped Lincoln on its next possession and again took advantage of good field position after the Lions were unsuccessful on a fourth and short.  It took the Bison four plays to go 26 yards and again, it was Brice who capped it off, this time from a yard out.

Brice, a 5-11, 190-pound red-shirt sophomore from Columbia, SC, was making his first start after coming off a career-best 96 yards on 13 carries in the loss to Morgan State last week.

"The offensive line did a great job of blocking for me today," said Brice.  "I got a good feel from the line last week and I was even more comfortable out there today.  They were getting a great push and creating running lanes for me."

Added Howard head coach Carey Bailey, "He is making great decisions out there.  He has an odd running style and it is hard to bring him down.  He benefitted from the play of the offensive line.  I thought that they played well today."

It appeared as though Howard would go to the locker room with a comfortable 21-0 lead, but Lincoln made quick work of their possession, using two plays to go 61 yards.  The capper was a 34-yard flea flicker from Ivan Mitchell to Anthony Wilson to end the half and give hope to the visitors.

The Lions used the score as momentum in the third quarter and got within a touchdown when Aaron Thomas hooked up with Shawn Bethea on a 15-yard scoring pass with 11:34 on the clock that cut the deficit to 21-14 with plenty of time left.

"The one thing that we strive to do is be competitive," said Lincoln head coach O.J. Abanisha.  "Today was a good example of where we want to be.  We were competitive and we did not quit."

The Lions and the Bison had met 55 times before this game.  They last met in 1960 and then the Lincoln program was disbanded until three years ago.  Bailey said that he was not surprised by the Lincoln's effort.

"I told the team that there is not a lot of separation," said Bailey.  "I told them that we were going to get their best shot.  They did everything they could to win this game."

The game also marked the debut of Randy Liggins, Jr., who was making his first start.  The freshman finished 7 0f 12 passing for 44 yards and an interception, but it was his overall management of the offense, which generated 270 yards that pleased Bailey.

"I was pleased with his decision making," said Bailey of Liggins, a 5-11, 180-pound freshman from Brea, CA.  "He is going to get better.  I thought he played well for his first start.  We will build on that."

Defensively, the Bison proved to be tough against the run, limiting the Lions to 32 yards rushing and three of 10 on fourth down conversion attempts.  Red-shirt sophomore linebacker Keith Pough collected 10 tackles, including four for losses and two sacks.  Junior defensive end Sackie Kerkulah had his second straight outstanding game with eight tackles, three for losses and his first interception.

GAME NOTES: The series is now deadlocked at 24-24-8 between the two institutions…freshman placekicker Parker Munoz is now a perfect 9 for 9 on PAT conversions…the Bison again won the time of possession battle, 33:15 to 26:45…the game was marred by penalties…Howard was called for 14 for 183 yards while Lincoln was assessed 11 for 83 yards…Anthony Whitlow, DeCarlos Knight and Corey Berry all had fine games on defense…Whitlow, a 6-0, 210-pound sophomore linebacker finished with 6 tackles  and a tackle for a loss…Knight, a 5-10, 180-pound red-shirt sophomore, had five tackles, a tackle for a loss and his first interception…and Berry, a 6-3, 260-pound red-shirt junior, collected 5 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and QB hurry.

NEXT UP:  Lion will travel to Mufreesboro, NC to take on Chowan next Saturday at 6 pm while the Bison will travel to Greenville, SC to take on nationally ranked Furman next Saturday at 12 noon.