Norfolk State Spartans lose tough one to Howard Bison

NORFOLK, Virginia --Trailing by 15 points early after one quarter, Howard scored 27 unanswered points and held off a late Norfolk State charge in a 33-28 Bison victory on Saturday afternoon at Dick Price Stadium. The loss was the fourth in a row for the Spartans (1-4, 0-2 MEAC), while Howard (1-4, 1-2) broke a seven-game losing streak dating to last October.

The Spartans jumped out to a 21-6 lead after the first quarter thanks to an impressive offensive display. Greg Hankerson accounted for all three NSU scores in the period, throwing touchdown passes of 64 yards to Marcus Taylor and 59 to George Wahee and also scoring on a 9-yard TD run in the opening period. Howard's only score came courtesy of an 8-yard blocked punt return for touchdown by Ibrahim Conte. NSU outgained the Bison 200-27 in the quarter.

But Howard controlled the middle quarters. Kyle Anthony scored on an 11-yard TD pass from Kalen Johnson to cut Howard's lead to 21-12 entering the half. In the third quarter, Anthony Philyaw and Da'Vaun Johnson both scored on 1-yard TD runs, capping drives of 71 and 72 yards, respectively, to give the Bison a 25-21 lead entering the fourth quarter.

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