Moon Township, Pa. (September 30, 2023) —The Howard University football team turned in its most complete performance of the season en route to a 35-10 win over Robert Morris (RMU) in a nonconference game at Joe Walton Stadum before 2,200 fans.
Howard (2-2), which was coming off a disappointing loss to rival Hampton two weeks ago (Sept. 16), struggled early against the Colonials defense, marching on two drives, but coming up short. Then, the Bison found their rhythm on their third possession as graduate quarterback Quinton Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md.) put together an 11-play drive that covered 62 yards, capped off by eight-yard TD pass to junior wide receiver Nah’shawn Hezekiah (Orangeburg, S.C.), 7-0.
RMU (2-3 overall) responded on the ensuing possession with a seven-play, 45-yards drive, highlighted by a 16-yard pass from Anthony Chilcott to Chase Jackson, 7-7.
Howard, who has struggled on special teams through the first three games, finally came up with an important one. Graduate running back/return specialist Ian Wheeler (Houston) took the ensuing kickoff and raced 88 yards to the end zone and put his team ahead, 14-7, at the 5:35 mark of the second quarter.
The Bison defense began to come alive and forced a three-and-out, giving Howard the ball at their own 27.
It was Wheeler again who came through with back-to-back plays that gained 39 yards and gave the Bison a first-and-10 at the RMU 36. Three plays later, Williams capped off the 73-yard drive with an 11-yard scoring run that upped the margin, 21-7, going into the half.
The Bison dominated the third period and set the tone for the second half, running off 18 offensive plays to only four for the Colonials.
Howard was finally able to capitalize when Williams scored his second TD of the day on a one-yard plunge with a minute left in the third period.
Wheeler had his best day as a Bison, amassing 214 yards of all-purpose yards and two TDs. The Houston native has three kickoff returns for scores during his career.
Williams had yet another efficient day, completing 13-of-16 for 170 yards, a TD and no interceptions. He spread the ball around and connected to eight different receivers.
On defense, the Bison limited RMU to 43 yards on 25 carries and only 221 yards of total offense.
It was a team effort as graduate defensive lineman Darrian Brokenburr (six tackles & a sack), junior linebacker Terrance Hollon (six tackles), senior defensive back Carson Hinton (five tackles), senior safety Kenny Gallop, Jr. (three tackles & an INT) and junior defensive tackle Jamel Stewart (four tackles & a sack) all contributed.
Sophomore punter/placekicker Aaron Bickerton (Stoke-on-Trent, England), who is having his best season, aided the cause, averaging 42 yards per punt with three landing inside the 20-yard line. Junior kicker Dylan West (Akron, Ohio) was a perfect 5-fo- 5 on PATs and has only missed one this season.
NEXT UP: Howard travels to Evanston, Ill., to take on Northwestern Saturday (Oct. 7) at 3 p.m. (ET).
Source: Derek W. Bryant/Howard University Athletics