By: Tayler Adigun, Sports Editor
The Howard University football team fell short to North Carolina Central (40-35) in a toe-to- toe match-up Saturday, Oct. 6.The Bison met the Eagles on their turf in a match up that saw over 1,100 yards of combined offense.
The Howard Bison obtained 598 yards of total offense and got on the board first with a 22-yard field goal by freshman Faraji Joseph which was answered by an Eagles touchdown bringing the score 7-3. Sophomore, Saevon Dinkins, sacked the Eagle’s quarterback in the end zone for a safety that helped bridge the gap, 7-5.
In the second quarter the Bison started out strong with a 40-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Caylin Newton to Jequez Ezzard, placing the Bison up at 12-7. The Eagles kept the momentum going with a 35-yard TD pass setting the score at 14-12. HU came right back with a 54-yard pass from Newton to Ezzard, giving the Bison the lead, 19-14. NCCU kept the tit-for-tat match up going with a touchdown bringing the game to a margin of 3, with the Eagles up, 21-19. Right before half time the Eagles snagged a field goal furthering their lead, 24-19,
After halftime the Eagles scored again with a touchdown bringing the score to, 31-19. However, the Bison quickly answered the Eagles with a 75 yard drive by Ezzard, closing the gap a bit at 31-26.
In the beginning of the fourth quarter the Bison played catch up with a 35-yard field goal by Joseph, the longest field goal of his career. Bringing the score within a two point margin, 31-29. The Eagles maintained their lead with a 42 yard field goal bringing the score to 34-29. The Bison stayed in the game with a 19-yard touchdown run from freshman and MEAC’s Rookie Of The Week, Khalid Dorsey bringing the bison up by 5 with a failed two-point attempt. NCCU drove in for the go-ahead touchdown on their final possession, bring thing them up by five, 40-35.
In the last few seconds of the game the Bison drove down to the Eagles own 17 yard line but an unfortunate interception by the Eagles closed in NCCU’s victory.
The Howard University Football Team plays Delaware State Saturday, Oct.13 at home at 1 p.m.
