Howard Balanced Offensive Attack Pounds Norfolk State on Senior Day

Anthony Reagan Jr. exploded for 115 rushing yards and three touchdowns, powering Howard to a commanding 44-15 victory over Norfolk State on Senior Day on Saturday afternoon at Audi Field.

After Howard (5-7, 2-3 MEAC Conference) won the toss and deferred, Norfolk State (1-11, 0-5 MEAC) took the ball to start the game. They scored the first points with a nine-yard touchdown run by X’Zavion Evans. The drive covered nine plays and 78 yards.

Starks threw for 279 yards for Howard, and Walker led Howard with 105 receiving yards for the Bison. Kevon King led Norfolk State with 96 yards rushing, and Thomas had 90 yards receiving.

Howard marched into field-goal territory, but a trick play backfired when CJ Neely’s end-around pass was picked off in the end zone by NSU’s Nasir Bashir. The rest of the quarter saw both teams locked in a punting duel.

The Spartans led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.

NSU’s next drive ended with a missed field goal, opening the door for HU. Travis Kerney punched in a four-yard touchdown, but the extra point was blocked by Bashir and returned 96 yards by Dayan Long for a dramatic defensive two-point conversion, shifting the score to 9-6.

Following a series of punts, Howard seized the lead as Reagan powered in from four yards out, capping a methodical 13-play, 82-yard drive that included a highlight-reel 38-yard catch by Montrell Walker.

Howard surprised NSU with an onside kick, recovered by CJ Dale deep in Spartan territory. The Bison wasted no time, as Reagan hauled in a nine-yard touchdown pass from Tyriq Starks to push the lead to 20-9.

NSU’s next possession unraveled when Jaquavion Smith delivered a sack, stripped the ball, and recovered the fumble at the NSU 30. Matthew Conard then drilled a 27-yard field goal, sending Howard into halftime up 23-9.

Howard wasted no time after halftime, opening with an 11-play, 51-yard drive capped by a four-yard touchdown pass from Walker. After a defensive stand, Reagan broke free for a 56-yard touchdown sprint on the very next play, stretching the lead to 37-9.

After an interception by Bashir, Kamryn Thomas caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Parker Lancaster. The score was 37-15 after a failed two-point conversion attempt.

In the fourth quarter, Andre Cooper II hauled in a 10-yard touchdown as Howard continued to pile on points. Tempers flared as the game grew heated, with 18 penalties and four ejections marking a chaotic finish.

Howard will begin 2026 in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge against Alabama A&M in Atlanta, while Norfolk State will travel to Old Dominion to begin the 2026 season.