Hopeful Bison thrashed by conference champs
The struggling Howard football team came into their third conference matchup of the season against last year’s MEAC champions Bethune Cookman with high hopes, but the Wildcats (5-1) showed the Bison (1-5) why they’re number one in the conference.
The Wildcats dominated on defense holding junior quarterback Greg McGhee and the Bison offense to just 186 yards of total offense.
Despite the lack of movement, the Howard offense, who came into the contest averaging almost 400 yards per game, had its chances but struggled on third down.
"We couldn't execute on third down," McGhee said. "We had a couple of dropped passes and a couple of missed reads which resulted in three and outs. Their defensive line had a lot to do with that. They did a great job of applying pressure."
Bethune Cookman’s first of three quarterbacks, senior Jackie Wilson got the team out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter after two strong touchdown runs by junior running back Anthony Jordan.
Howard’s first sign of life came at the beginning of the second quarter when BCU attempted a flea flicker pass to the end zone, however it was picked off by junior defensive back Ademola Olatunji, who eventually left the game with a leg injury.
Howard was initially unable to capitalize on the turnover as the offense went three and out, but on the punt BCU was called for roughing the kicker resulting in a first down for Howard. Howard was able to drive the ball down to the 15 yard line, but the field goal was missed by sophomore kicker John Fleck.
Howard got another opportunity to score after sophomore linebacker Devin Rollins blocked a punt deep in Bethune Cookman territory. However, the Wildcat defense stood strong holding the Bison to a field goal which was hit from 39 yards out by Fleck.
The Bison defense came up big again at the end of the second quarter after junior defensive end Godspower Offor sacked the quarterback forcing a fumble, and freshman defensive end Marquese Blanchard recovered it and ran it back to the seven yard line with 10 seconds left in the half.
McGhee attempted two quick passes into the endzone, but they were both unsuccessful forcing Howard to settle for the field goal.
Howard went into halftime down 14-6.
In the second half, Bethune Cookman controlled the clock by wearing the Howard defense down with their strong running attack. Senior running back Isodore Jackson, who led the team in rushing with 65 yards, was one of four running backs who took turns pounding the ball forward for chunks of yardage for the Wildcats.
“We didn’t make stops,” interim head coach Ray Petty said. “We had a couple of chances to get off the field on third down and we didn’t.”
In the third quarter the Wildcats drove the ball 61 yards down the field, capping the drive off with a 14 yard touchdown run by Jackson, putting BCU up 21-6.
After a punt by Howard in the fourth quarter, BCU constructed a 75 yard drive continuing to ride the success of their hard nosed running game. The drive ended with a five yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Drexler Dixon, which essentially iced the game for the Wildcats.
Howard now 1-5 have not gotten off to the season they dreamed of, but Petty believes that this season can still be a positive one.
“Our goal is to go out and win every game that we play,” Petty said. “We have six games left, and if we win those we’ll be 7-5. It’s not our initial goal for the season, but that’s still a winning season.”
This week the Bison are preparing to take on conference rivals Florida A&M. Howard goes in with hopes of spoiling the Rattlers’ (2-4) homecoming. The Bison beat the Rattlers last year 17-10.