For the first time since 2015, Howard came out on the winning side of the Battle of the Real HU, taking Hampton down in a 34-7 win.
The Bison had lost eight straight against the Pirates, as well as losing 22 of the last 26 contests dating back to 1997, before their win today.
This marks the first time Howard has beaten Hampton by a margin of 20 points or more since 1976.
The loss for Hampton drops them to 0-3 against FCS opponents, marking the first time it has lost its first three games against FCS teams since 2018.
Running back Travis Kerney led the way for Howard, recording 113 rushing yards on 16 attempts and scoring two touchdowns. Billy Robinson chipped in 57 rushing yards on six attempts and a touchdown.
Bison linebacker Ja’Quavion Smith anchored the defense with seven tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks.
It did not take long for Howard to put the first points of the game on the board, only needing three plays from scrimmage, culminating in a 38-yard touchdown run by Kerney.
The Bison continued to build momentum as the game turned to the second quarter, scoring a pair of touchdowns to take a 20-0 halftime lead.
Meanwhile, Hampton’s offense struggled to get off the ground, with its only managing 96 yards on 30 offensive plays in the first plays.
Their best play of the first half came with 4:24 to go in the first quarter, when they recorded the only Bison turnover of the game, setting the offense up with their best starting field position.
However, the Pirates were unable to capitalize, as the drive ended with an interception by Kedrick Green and returned 44 yards to midfield.
Hampton failed to generate any momentum to begin the second half, only managing three first downs in the third quarter, averaging just 2.5 yards per play on 15 plays in the period.
A late 53-yard rushing touchdown Earl Woods III avoided what would have been the first shut out win in the Battle of the Real HU series since 2009 (Hampton won 37-0).
