WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Greg McGhee and Jonathan Booker put on an impressive offensive play, combining for three touchdowns, but too many mistakes, including two on special teams, proved to be too much to overcome as Howard dropped a 37-28 decision to North Carolina Central in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Greene Stadium.It was the first home game of the season for the Bison (1-4, 0-2 in the MEAC), who entered the game with a five-game win streak. But the Eagles (3-2, 1-0 in the MEAC) set the tone early by scoring on their first possession. Idreis Augustus capped off an eight-play drive with a six-yard run. The PAT attempt was blocked but NCCU held a 6-0 lead.
Howard countered on its first possession when McGhee engineered a 13-play, 78-yard drive that used almost five minutes off the clock. Booker caught a 20-yard strike from McGhee as the Bison led, 7-6.
NCCU came back with another short drive that set up by one of its fine special teams plays on the day. Dequadis Tucker scored from 17 yards to make, 13-7 early in the second quarter.
But McGhee was not to be outdone. The junior put together another drive, this time 64 yards on 10 plays. It ended with McGhee connecting with Stewart Hartman on a 9-yard hookup.
It was Howard's last lead of the game.
It was there that the Eagles began to take control. With less than two minutes remaining in the half, NCCU's Jordan Reid drove his team 52 yards in 10 plays to set up a 48-yard field goal at the half to give NCCU the lead for good at 16-14 at intermission.
The Eagles used that as a momentum builder. The defense forced the Bison to turn over the ball on downs. Howard's John Fleck hit a 46 yard punt that Adrian Wilkins field at his own 11, found a seam in the Howard defense and raced 89 yards for the score.
NCCU was not finished. After Howard had to settle for a field goal attempt on its next possession, the Eagles struck again with a big play on special teams. Fleck's field goal attempt was blocked and returned 50 yards by Tim Thaniel for a TD that opened a 30-14 advantage at the 5:52 mark of the third quarter.
"We had a lot of missed opportunities," lamented Howard head coach Ray Petty. "We had a missed field goal and our special teams just wasn't as good as theirs today."
Added NCCU interim head Coach Dwayne Foster. "We talked all week about special teams and the importance of making something happen in the kicking game. Whether it was get a big return, block a punt or field goal, these guys stepped up to the challenge of making something happen."
Howard appeared to wake up when McGhee went to work, this time taking his team 90 yards in 15 plays, finishing it off with a 20-yard strike to Booker for their second hookup.
But NCCU was not to be denied. The visitors put the game away when Reid scored on a 54-yard scamper with 4:24 remaining.
The Bison would add a late touchdown when McGhee and Booker got together for the third time on the day from 19 yards out. McGhee accounted for 366 yards of total offense, going 31 of 48 for 328 yards and a career-high four TD passes. Booker grabbed a career-high 10 passes for 154 yards and three TDs.
"Overall, tempo was pretty high. We got line up the way and were moving the ball okay. But we didn't win and that's what matters. We fought through all four quarters but we have got to make corrections because we have to get a win."
The Howard defense held the Eagles to 269 yards of total offense, but the Eagles offset that with 270 yards of return yards and three blocked kicks.
"We did not ensure protection on the special teams," said Petty. "We did some good things on defense and we moved the ball and scored some points but the two special teams mistakes in the third quarter were crucial because we were never able to recover from it. We have to find a way to bounce back."
COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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