Howard University Football began its season Aug. 30, with a narrow but decisive 10-9 victory over Florida A&M University in the Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium.
The decisive moment came late in the fourth quarter. Trailing 9-7, Bison quarterback Tyriq Starks orchestrated a two-minute drive that included a 21-yard completion to sophomore tight end KD Mosley.
The drive stalled at the edge of field goal range, setting the stage for Matt Conord, a sophomore business management major, who drilled the kick to put Howard ahead for good.
“I’m just grateful,” said Conord, “My teammates put me in position to make the kick, and I trusted the operation.”
The Classic, reestablished in 2021 after a 43-year hiatus, has quickly become one of the premier showcases for HBCU football, blending culture, pageantry, and competition on a national stage.
Thousands of alumni, students, and fans filled the stands in Miami Gardens, creating an atmosphere that reflected the importance of the matchup.
Labor Day weekend in Miami Gardens means football, culture, and history. This game is for the community. It’s for our students,” said WLPG Local 10, a Miami-based television station, describing the significance of the event.
For Howard, the stakes were high. A strong start to the season can set the tone for the rest of the year, and the Bison’s win over the 2023 Southern Athletic Conference champion, FAMU, made a statement.
Howard struck first in the second quarter. Quarterback Tyriq Starks led a 10-play, 53-yard drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver CJ Neely.
Despite finishing with just 195 yards of total offense, the Bison capitalized on key opportunities and relied on their defense to control the tempo of the game.
FAMU responded with field goals, keeping the game close but failing to break through for a touchdown. Howard’s defense proved to be the difference.
The Bison limited the Rattlers to 272 total yards and just 5-of-15 on third downs. Senior linebacker Cam Dyson and sophomore linebacker Ja’Quavion Smith each recorded seven tackles, anchoring a defense that bent but never broke.
“It feels good to start the season off right with a win, especially against FAMU,” Dyson said. “Our defensive identity is about strike, focus, effort, attack, reload, reload, reload, every play, whistle to whistle, sideline to sideline.”
Before the game, Howard head coach Larry Scott said the team’s execution would be more important than the talent of FAMU’s new starting quarterback, RJ Johnson, a transfer from Toledo.
“It’s not about who their quarterback is, it’s about us,” Scott said.“In a first game, you never know what you’ll see, so our focus is on fundamentals.”
Scott continues: “Football comes down to running, blocking, tackling, and catching. If we do those well, we’ll be ready for whoever is under center.”
Johnson finished 17-of-32 for 183 yards but was unable to lead a touchdown drive.
The win marked Howard’s first over FAMU in the Orange Blossom Classic and gave the Bison an early surge of momentum. It showed their resilience and ability to deliver in pressure moments.
Now, Howard turns its attention to Philadelphia, where the Bison will face Temple University on Sept. 6, aiming to build on their hard-fought victory.
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.
