ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Coach Mike London and the Howard University Football team held off South Carolina State (SCSU) and spoiled the Bulldogs’ homecoming with a 28-20 victory. HU earned its third consecutive win while snapping their 15-year drought against the Bulldogs, dating back to 2002.
Howard generated 365 total offense on 75 plays. Deep-threat sophomore Jequez Ezzard had a game-high 144 receiving yards, including a 94-yard touchdown. On the ground, graduate running back Dezmond Wortham led the Bison rushing attack with 82 yards on 15 carries in the victory.
HU capitalized on SCSU’s opening drive turnover with a double-reverse pass from redshirt junior Jason Collins to Ezzard, 7-0.
Next possession, senior running back Anthony Philyaw capped off a seven-play, 68 yard drive to extended Howard’s advantage, 14-0.
Under seven minutes left in the opening period, Newton found Ezzard for a 94-yard TD pass and gave the Bison a 21-0 lead after one.
Moments into the second, a 24-yard field goal from SCSU’s Tyler Scandrett trimmed HU’s lead, 21-3.
With time dwindling before halftime, the Bulldogs’ Dewann Ford connected with De’Mo Burroughs and sliced the margin down to 11 at intermission, 21-10.
SCSU cut the deficit to a one-possession game after a 36-yard field goal from Scandrett, 21-13.
Howard responded with an 11-play, 52 yard drive midway through the third, highlighted by an eight-yard run from redshirt running back Da’Vaun Johnson, 28-13.
Midway through the fourth, South Carolina State returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and trimmed the margin back down to eight, 28-20.
With under two minutes remaining, SCSU marched down for the game-tying touchdown, but the Bison’s defense stopped South Carolina State on downs.
In the first quarter, freshman quarterback Caylin Newton eclipsed a single-season record in total offense, surpassing Greg McGhee’s mark set back in 2011.
Defensively, freshman Aaron Walker produced a team-best eight tackles (seven solo). Redshirt senior Devin Rollins added five solo tackles, including three tackles for loss and a pass breakup in the win.
Howard (5-3, 4-1 MEAC) continues its road swing in Tallahassee, Fla. where the Florida A&M Rattlers await. Saturday’s matchup starts 4 p.m. at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Courtesy: Howard Athletics
