Courtesy: Howard University
After a successful 2023 season that saw it earn a berth in the Cricket Celebration Bowl, the Howard University Football Team released its 2024 schedule, seeking to defend its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship.
The 12-game schedule kicks off on August 31 with a trip to Piscataway, N.J., where the Bison will face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, whose team rushed for 24 touchdowns last season and was ranked third best in the powerhouse Big Ten Conference.
The Bison home opener will take place the following week against the Mercyhurst Lakers (September 7), followed by two marquee matchups — the Toyota HBCU NY Classic against the Morehouse Tigers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (September 14) and the Truth & Service Classic against the Hampton Pirates at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. (September 21).
The Bison will close out the month on September 28, taking on the Princeton Tigers in Princeton, N.J. This marks the third-straight season the Bison will face an Ivy League opponent with the previous two seasons including contests against the Harvard Crimson.
Following a bye week (October 5), the Bison have a two-game homestand, hosting the Sacred Heart Pioneers (October 12) before the highly anticipated Homecoming game against the Tennessee State Tigers (October 19) at Howard’s Greene Stadium.
Tickets for the game, which marks the 100th anniversary of the University’s first Homecoming game, will be first available to 2024 season ticket holders. The 2024 Season Tickets package also includes a ticket to the Truth & Service Classic, reserved seating at every home game, priority and discounted parking, exclusive invitations to special events hosted by the Howard University Department of Athletics and priority purchasing opportunities for the Cricket Celebration Bowl in the event the Bison earn a second-straight berth in the game.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| August 31 | Rutgers | Away |
| September 7 | Mercyhurst | Home |
| September 14 | Morehouse | East Rutherford, NJ |
| September 21 | Hampton | D.C. Audi Field |
| September 28 | Princeton | Away |
| October 12 | Sacred Heart | Home |
| October 19 | Tennessee State | Home (HC) |
| October 26 | Norfolk State | Away |
| November 2 | Delaware State | Home |
| November 9 | South Carolina State | Home |
| November 16 | North Carolina Central | Away |
| November 23 | Morgan State | Away |
The Bison’s MEAC schedule begins on October 26 against the Norfolk State Spartans in Norfolk, Va. The team will host the Delaware State Hornets (November 2) and the South Carolina State Bulldogs (November 9) before closing out the season with consecutive road games against the North Carolina Central Eagles in Durham, N.C. (November 16) and the Morgan State Bears in Baltimore (November 23).
Howard University Director of Athletics Kery Davis said the 2024 football schedule provides some challenging tests for the Bison as they aim for a three-peat of the MEAC Championship and vie for the Black College Football Championship scheduled to take place at Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium in December.
“The outcome of last year’s Celebration Bowl was not what we desired, but it was clear in that game that our team can compete at a championship level,” Davis said, referring to the Bison’s 30-26 loss to Florida A&M last December. “Our goal is to repeat as MEAC Champs and have another chance to compete in — and win – the Celebration Bowl. Our 2024 schedule will give the team opportunities to see what they are made of while providing our fans the chance to see new teams and familiar foes.”