Howard Bison Erases Early Deficit to Down Morgan State Bears

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Coach Mike London and the Howard University football team rallied from an early double-digit deficit to down Morgan State (MSU), 35-26, at Hughes Stadium.

With the victory, HU (3-3, 3-1 MEAC) improved to .500 on the season while grabbing back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

Morgan State's defense provided challenges throughout the night, but the Bison made big plays in clutch moments.

Offensively, Howard utilized a balance attack to rack up 473 total yards. HU mustered a season-best 260 yards on the ground while throwing for 213 in the air.

Sophomore Dedrick Parson (Philadelphia, Pa.) led the ground attack, amassing a career-high 148 rushing yards on 16 touches with a pair of TDs in the victory.

MSU jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, thanks to a 12-yard TD pass from DeAndre Harris to Xavier Gravette.

Late into the first quarter, sophomore signal caller Caylin Newton (Atlanta) got HU on the board with 1-yard QB sneak, 10-6.

Early in the second, sophomore Bryan Cook (Cincinnati) recorded his first INT of the season for a 41-yard Pick Six, 12-10.

After reclaiming the advantage with a 30-yard FG, 13-12, Howard responded with a 10-play, 75 yard drive, capped off by a 13-yard TD run by senior Ricquaz Brannon (Durham N.C.), 20-13.

With less than a minute later, MSU closed out the half with a quick score and sliced the lead down to one at the break, 20-19.

After intermission, Morgan State re-established the upper hand off a turnover and cashed in with a 5-yard touchdown score, 26-20.

Early into the third, Morgan State's Joshua Chase had a chance to deliver the knock out blown and give the Bears a double-digit lead with a big TD run but Cook never gave up and forced a fumble resulting in a touchback. From that point on, the momentum swung in HU's favor.

BOX SCORE

Midway through the fourth, Parson slashed through Morgan State's defense with a 31-yard touchdown run and put HU ahead, 27-26.

With less than a minute remaining, Parson sealed the deal for Howard with a 26-yard TD and secured the Bison with back-to-back victories.

Defensively, junior Marcellos Allison (Durham, N.C.) had a team-best 11 tackles (nine solo), a pass breakup and QB hurry. Freshman Zamon Robinson (Silver Spring, Md.) added eight tackles (four solo), two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in the win.

Saturday (Oct. 27), Howard starts a brief two-game home stand against South Carolina State on HU Homecoming. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Greene Stadium.

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.

 Derek W. Bryant, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information
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