In a commanding performance, Howard University claimed a 35-21 victory over Morehouse College on Saturday in the HBCU NYC Football Classic. Howard was led by quarterback Jaylon Tolbert’s four touchdown passes.
First Half Control
Howard wasted no time asserting themselves on offense, opening the game with a balanced attack. On their first drive, wide receiver Kasey Hawthorne powered his way into the end zone on a 3-yard run to put the Bison up 7-0 with 9:43 remaining in the first quarter.
Minutes later, Howard struck again. Tolbert connected with wideout Se’Quan Osborne for a 12-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 14-0 by the 5:49 mark of the first quarter.
Morehouse responded in the second quarter as quarterback Miles Scott found wide receiver Ajani Williams for a 16-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 14-7. However, Howard countered just before halftime when Tolbert threw a deep 33-yard strike to Ke’Untae Mosley, giving the Bison a 21-7 advantage at the break.
Tolbert Shines in the Second Half
In the third quarter, Tolbert continued his aerial dominance, linking up with Richie Ilarraza for a 20-yard touchdown pass at the 9:11 mark, pushing Howard’s lead to 28-7.
The Bison extended their advantage early in the fourth quarter when Tolbert found Isiah Williams for another 20-yard touchdown pass, making the score 35-7. Tolbert finished the game with 267 passing yards, completing 23 of 41 attempts with four touchdowns and one interception.
Morehouse’s Late Rally
Despite trailing by 28 points, Morehouse showed resilience late in the game. Scott connected with Williams again for a 21-yard touchdown with 8:33 remaining, narrowing the gap to 35-14. Scott then found Kamrin Brunson for a 27-yard score with just under two minutes left, bringing the Maroon Tigers within 14 points, but the effort fell short as Howard held on for the 35-21 win.
Offensive and Defensive Standouts
Howard’s rushing attack, led by Jarett Hunter (92 yards) and Hawthorne (48 yards, 1 touchdown), provided solid support for Tolbert’s passing game. On the receiving end, Ilarraza had 7 catches for 77 yards and a score, while Mosley, Williams, and Osborne each added touchdown receptions.
Morehouse’s passing game showed promise, as Scott completed 17 of 31 passes for 209 yards and 3 touchdowns without any interceptions. Williams was his top target, pulling in 6 receptions for 72 yards and two touchdowns.
Turnovers and Special Teams
While Howard committed two fumbles, they managed to recover both. Morehouse, on the other hand, struggled with ball security, losing two fumbles. On special teams, Howard’s Anthony Reagan Jr. impressed with a 40-yard kick return, while Morehouse’s Khasen Kirkland was perfect on all three extra-point attempts.
HBCU rivalries continue
Howard’s efficient passing game and stout defense proved to be the difference, as the Bison never allowed Morehouse to establish a consistent ground game. Morehouse finished with just 18 rushing attempts for -36 yards, largely due to Scott being sacked multiple times.
With this victory, Howard continues to build momentum heading into next weekend’s big HBCU rivalry game with Hampton. Morehouse will look to bounce back in their next contest, a neutral site matchup against winless Kentucky State.