Despite dominating statistically for much of the game, Howard University suffered a heartbreaking 13-12 loss to FCS playoff contender Richmond last week.
But Head Coach Larry Scott sees the performance — and the lessons that came with it — as a turning point for a Bison team he believes is trending in the right direction.
“We had a blueprint, and we executed it for about 98% of the game,” Scott said during his weekly press conference. “Time of possession was 42 minutes to their 17. I’ve never been a part of a game dominated that way.”
However, two costly fourth-quarter turnovers shifted momentum and ultimately led to defeat. Howard had led for much of the game, controlling the ground attack and keeping its defense fresh, but a pair of late miscues allowed Richmond to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
“There’s no way, when you watch that film, you think Howard lost that football game,” Scott said. “But we did. And we have to learn from it.”
Now entering a much-needed bye week, the Bison (3–2) are using the time to reset — physically, mentally and academically — ahead of a seven-week stretch that begins Oct. 11 at Sacred Heart.
“We’re going to service these young men holistically,” Scott said. “Their minds, bodies, spirit — we’ve got to win in a lot of ways this week.”
Scott emphasized that the program’s growth goes beyond wins and losses. He reflected on playing Richmond early in his tenure, when Howard was still rebuilding. This year’s close contest, in his view, proves just how far the program has come.
“We’re light years ahead of where we were five years ago,” Scott said. “The scoreboard didn’t say it, but we won in a lot of ways that will propel us forward.”
Howard’s defense has earned national attention this season, ranking among the top units in the FCS. According to Scott, it’s not due to newcomers, but to players who have grown within the program and are now seizing their moment.
“It’s not a lot of new faces,” Scott said. “These are guys who’ve developed over the last two or three years. They waited their turn, and now they’re producing.”
Scott credited the program’s developmental approach and the academic rigor at Howard University as keys to retaining talent and cultivating maturity.
On offense, the Bison have leaned heavily on their run game. Against Richmond, running back Anthony Reagan Jr. rushed for 129 yards, continuing a trend of strong ground performances. The team plans to keep building on that strength.
“When we play to our identity, we’re going to be hard to beat,” Scott said. “That identity is toughness — running the ball, stopping the run, and playing disciplined, physical football.”
Establishing the run, Scott believes, helps open up opportunities in the passing game and contributes to the kind of balanced, complementary football that championship teams need.
When asked about the differences between this year’s team and the 2024 Bison that lost five of their last six games, Scott dismissed the notion, saying the Bison are solely focused on what’s in front of them.
“We don’t talk about 2023. We don’t talk about championship teams,” Scott said. “We talk about being better today. That’s the only thing that matters.”
As the Bison prepare for their return to action at Sacred Heart, Scott remains confident in the program’s direction.
“We just use football to do it,” he said. “But what we’re building — the Bison Way — that’s about grit, about being the best version of yourself every day. And that’s why we always win here.”
