WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With less than a minute remaining, the Howard University Bison capitalized on a 4th-and-2 situation to secure their home-opening Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win of the 2017 campaign over the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, 26-24.With the clock dwindling, freshman quarterback Caylin Newton marched the squad down and ran a 5-yard touchdown for the go-ahead score with 39-seconds reigning on the clock, closing out a 45-yard pace on nine plays.
B-CU had multiple opportunities to regain the lead, but HU's defense rose to the occasion forcing four straight incomplete passes.
With the victory, Howard snapped its six-game skid against the Wildcats while winning the first HU versus B-CU in D.C. contest since 1996.
Offensively, the home squad racked up 500 total yards with 343 on the ground, along with 157 yards in the air. Four Bison had 50 or more rushing yards, led by Newton and Anthony Philyaw. Newton finished with 140 rushing yards and two TDs, while Philyaw, the MEAC Preseason Player of the Year, added 93 yards in the victory.
B-CU jumped out to an early 7-0 advantage after a 20-yard run from Larry Brihm.
Moments into the second stanza, Guy Lemonier Jr. recovered a fumble in the end zone and tied the contest, 7-7.
On the next possession, the Wildcats went down and reclaimed the lead with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Brihm to Frank Brown, 14-7.
With halftime approaching, Howard tied the game at 14 apiece after a 5-yard TD pass from a Newton to Philyaw connection.
The opening drive after intermission, was capped by a 9-play, 74 yard drive by the Bison on a 1-yard QB sneak from Newton for HU's first lead of the game for a score of 20-14.
Bethune-Cookman responded with an opening drive in the third quarter and regained the advantage, thanks to an extra point, 21-20.
Midway through the third, B-CU increased their lead on a 42-yard field goal, 24-20, before HU secured its 26-24 win in the final minutes of play.
Howard's Dezmond Wortham racked up 129 all-purpose yards, including 78 receiving.
Defensively, Leon Fields II had a team-high 5.5 tackles, including one for loss. Freshman Tye Freeland added three tackles, a forced fumble, and pass breakup in the victory.
For B-CU (1-3), they amassed 384 total offense. Michael Jones led the way with 112 on the ground, while Brown provided 84 receiving yards and a TD in the loss.
After next weekend's bye, HU (2-2) hosts reigning MEAC Champions, the North Carolina Central Univerbsity Eagles. Game-time is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Greene Stadium.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
BOX SCORE
HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
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