COLLEGE PARK, Maryland -- The Howard University football team will kick off the 2016 season on Saturday when they take on the Terps of the University of Maryland at 12 noon at Capital One Field. The game broadcast live on the Big Ten Network and Howard fans can follow all the action by logging onto the Bison Sports Network atwww.whbc963hd3.com or on the HBCU Network on Channel 142 Sirius. Trevin Jones will do the play by play and Tiffany Hoyd and Michael Lindo will provide color commentary.
It is the first meeting between the two schools which are 30 minutes apart. Both teams will try to rebound from subpar seasons and the Terps will try to do it under first year head coach DJ Durkin.
Maryland (0-0) has an entirely new coaching staff but should be highly motivated to make an impressive debut for the home fans. The Bison (0-0) will try to take advantage of the underdog role.
"DJ comes from Michigan and is a defensive-minded coach," said Howard head coachGary Harrell, in his fourth season. "This game is especially important for our seniors. The game will be on the Big Ten Network, so it is a great opportunity. The scouts will be looking to see how we prepare and perform against this type of competition. Our guys are ready and look forward to the competition."
Both teams have inexperience at the quarterback position. The Terps will start Jordan Hills.
"Maryland QBs don't have a lot of game experience but they are effective," noted Harrell,"Maryland struggled last year like we did, but their record doesn't reflect how good they are. It will be a huge challenge for us."
The Bison are in a similar situation at the quarterback position. Kalen Johnson, a red-shirt sophomore, got most of the snaps last season and showed improvement down the stretch, passing for over 1,100 yards and 8 TDs. But he was pressed in spring practice and the preseason by Jason Collins, a red-shirt freshman.
"We have two excellent young QBs we feel good about," said Harrell. "Johnson and Collins (red-shirt freshman) did a great job competing. We haven't named a starter yet. Johnson has developed and the game has slowed down for him . He's slightly ahead but Collins is right on his tail. Whoever can best manage the game and not turn the ball over is who will be the starter."
NEXT UP: The Bison travel to New Jersey next Saturday to take on another Big 10 opponents in Rutgers. That game is also a 12 noon kickoff. The Terps will travel to Miami, FL to play FIU on Friday at 7:30 pm.
Game Notes
HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
No comments:
Post a Comment