WASHINGTON, D.C. (www.howard-bison.com) – The Howard University football team conducted its first intra-squad scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 11 and according to head coach Gary "Flea" Harrell, there were mixed reviews.

"I thought the defense played solid," said Harrell, entering his second year at the helm. "We only had one penalty and we had a take away (an interception). I also thought our running game did a good job overall. We did well on assignments and in the effort area, but we had problem on the execution side."

The Bison have as much quality depth at the running back position, as they have had in several years. Returning starter Terrance Lefall picked up where he left off last year, rushing for a career-high 893 yards. Jarren Brown, who missed all of last with an injury and was slated to start, also boasted a great showing, as did Terrance Tusan and freshman walk-on Addison Clopton, who scored the game's only touchdown on a 55-yard jaunt. It must be noted that Andra Williams and Aquaniua Freeman, who finished second and third, respectively in rushing on the team, both sat out with minor injuries.

But, Harrell endured his largest frustration with the performance of the offensive regime.

"We had too many penalties and too many decisions from the quarterback position," said Harrell. "We also need more consistency at the wide receiver position. We have to become more disciplined and clean up a lot of this if we are going to be a good football team and win games."

Harrell again had praise for freshman punter/ placekicker John Fleck and long snap specialist Matthew Poulin. With punter Bryan Jackson out with a leg injury, Fleck is handing the duties and the freshman provided some punts with outstanding hang time.

"I could not be more pleased," said Harrell. "He gets good height, he is good at directional punts and he gets good hang time. That is definitely a plus for us this season."

Howard resumes practice on Monday, Aug. 13 and will have another intra-squad scrimmage next Saturday, Aug. 18.

"All week long we will work on cleaning up our mistakes," said Coach Harrell. "We have to become more disciplined."

The 2012 Bison season opener is slated for Saturday, Sept. 1 when the Bison take on Morehouse College in the AT&T Nation's Football Classic at 3:30 p.m. in RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Visit the official Howard University athletics website at www.howard-bison.com for more information on HU football.

-HU-