Suited and spirited, the Howard University football team took to the field and earned a win for a crowd of eager alumni and students. After sending the game to overtime tied at 27-27, the Bison were able to secure a 33-27 victory against Morgan State University at their 101st Homecoming game.
The game began with a coin flip between actors Cedric the Entertainer and Anthony Anderson, each representing in their Howard gear.
People in puffer coats, hoodies and blankets covered the stands, scurrying to find their seats, bundled up on the 59 degree evening. The audience extended beyond the stands as people looked down from the top floors of the School of Business and George W. Cook Hall to see the Homecoming game.
Howard won the coin flip, granting them the ball and allowing a swift start.
Only five minutes into the game, freshman tight end Xavier Newsom scored a touchdown, igniting the crowd early on.
The Homecoming spirit extended to the sidelines, where Howard’s cheer team was not alone. Accompanying them was a cheer team of alumni, chanting with energy. This organized group of alumni is known as The University Alumni Cheerleading Association.
Though the stadium was filled with smiles and laughter, rivalry was present on the field as well as between Howard and Morgan State’s bands as Morgan State boo’d Howard’s band whenever they played.
Early in the second quarter, Howard received a penalty for holding on the play, and after Head Coach Larry Scott’s reaction, a further 15-yard penalty was called.
Later in the game, the commentator asked the Howard band to refrain from playing while Morgan State was on offense.
Sophomore running back Anthony Reagan Jr., scored the second touchdown right before halftime, tying the game at 14-14.
Halftime consisted of the Howard band, the Ooh LaLa Dance Line, the flag team, and the Dazzling Diamonds. The performance was followed by an introduction to the HUSA president and vice president, Naesoj Ware and Peyton Garcia, as well as the Howard Royal Court.
Before the game went into overtime, junior wide receiver Zaden Jackson made a last-minute one-handed catch, causing the crowd to rise from their seats.
After a close game and tense overtime, Howard was able to defeat Morgan State in a 33-27 point victory following a tie-breaking touchdown by Reagan Jr. with a handoff from Tyriq Starks, granting the Bison their fourth win of the season.
Bells rang, music played and people rose from their seats, screaming in excitement. Many on the sidelines stormed the field to celebrate the victory.
Tyriq Starks, the leading quarterback, pointed out the energy surrounding this game and the impact that the crowd had on their victory.
“That was my first home game and homecoming game at Howard University and that was pretty fun to see the crowd. They kept us going throughout the course of the game and all 5 quarters. They were energetic, interactive, and they kept the energy on the sidelines up which led us to overcoming that win in overtime,” Starks said.
Kendrick Green, a safety for the Bison second’s the thought on the impact of the crowds energy, introducing the energy that the team brings to the table as well:
“We made a big emphasis on bringing our own energy to the game. The fans kept us up through the ups and downs. All the energy ended up working in our favor,” said Green.
Senior public relations major and sports administration minor, Olivia Brown, witnessed this victory from the sidelines of the field. As a senior with aspirations regarding sports journalism, Brown expressed her experience regarding such an opportunity.
“I’m in the midst of all of the energy and chaos because you’re seeing the team, the coaching staff, videographers and photographers trying to catch those special moments and be the heart of those special moments,” Brown said. “As a legacy with my dad being a Howard graduate and Howard Law school graduate, I’m now able to experience it as a student and relish in the moments like he did.”
A loyal member of The University Alumni Cheerleading Association and one of the many alumni cheering before the crowd was Wendy Waddell. Waddell has been cheering since 1981, graduated in 1985, and has been coming back every year to cheer at Howard homecoming.
After the win, Waddell expressed the feeling of being able to continuously support her alma mater.
“Now, as an alum, it’s the joy and the love of coming back and giving back to the school that we love so much,” Waddell said. “When you go to Howard, you may not always appreciate it when you’re attending, but once you actually graduate, it’s a whole different experience.”
Post-game, Scott spoke to the team. He emphasized how everything they’ve encountered was supposed to come up just as it did in order for them to succeed:
“If it hadn’t come up, it would’ve shown up in a way that we wouldn’t have been able to respond,” Scott said. “We work too hard for guys not to believe. It shows up when it shows up, but you have to believe. We went through everything we’ve gone through to get to this point and win the way we did.”
Starks also emphasized the importance of levelheadedness and taking accountability. Coming off from setbacks such as the 24-7 loss against Tennessee State, there was much more hustle put into their preparation time moving forward.
“I was stressing to the offensive unit to break the ceiling,” Starks said. “When we got into half time, I kept the guys up and fed them with positive reinforcement and made sure they knew that they were doing good enough to be in this game.”
Considering the close game throughout, hubison pointed out how Morgan State was similar to Howard considering their play-style and record. Like Howard, Morgan State were also going into the game with a (3-4) record, have vast emphasis on run-game and take pride in their defense.
Star running back Anthony Reagan Jr. had to step up for the past few games considering the absence of first-team all-conference graduate selection, Eden James.
Reagan Jr. was able to close out the game in overtime with a final touchdown leading to their fourth win of the season. Reagan Jr. highlighted the significance of the game outside of homecoming.
“This game is more important than just homecoming. It was the first MEAC play game,” Reagan Jr. said.
Starks referred to Reagan Jr. as an offensive catalyst and having contagious energy. Reagan Jr. highlighted their connection on the field, feeding their hunger for victory.
“Tyriq is like Batman and I’m like Robin. I’m just working with him and trying to get him to the promise land because it’s his last year,” Reagan Jr. said.
With the Bison’s homecoming game being their first home game of the season, Morgan State’s head coach Damon Wilson pointed out how they needed to be prepared to play good football, aware of the tough environment they were soon to encounter.
“They’re not built like us. We fall back on everything we’ve been through and everything that we’ve been built on and ultimately that propelled us to the win,” Green said.
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.
