Howard's Quarterback Shuffle Fails Again
Hampton 27, Howard 20
The problems continued for Howard University yesterday. The Bison wasted several scoring chances as the coaches played guess-the-quarterback once more, making 10 changes at the position. The defense again surrendered numerous third- and fourth-down conversions, and the team finished with 17 penalties.
All of this is what makes Hampton's 27-20 victory over Howard before 11,869 at Greene Stadium that much more frustrating. Despite all the problems, the Bison had chances to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for both teams. Instead they fell to 0-2 overall for the third straight season.
"We're a good football team," Howard Coach Steve Wilson said. "There ain't no doubt about it. We got close [but] the mistakes [hurt]."
The mistakes were plentiful. Howard punter-place kicker Jason Walker had two punts partially blocked -- one of which set up the winning Hampton touchdown -- and missed an extra point plus a 37-yard field goal. The Bison were penalized 15 times for 155 yards last week and flagged 17 times for 138 yards in this game. Amazingly, that was less than Hampton (17 penalties for 181 yards).
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The Bison lost defensive anchor Tracy White for a long stretch with a possible hip flexor, and defensive lineman Charles Woodall (sprained knee) left in the first quarter.
Hampton (1-1, 1-0) converted 10 of 24 third-down situations plus two of three fourth downs. Quarterback Ataveus Cash (Cardozo) worked the Pirates' no-huddle offense masterfully and also converted a key third-down play on the game-winning drive, hitting Michael Compton (Woodbridge) for a 21-yard pass on third and 10 from the Howard 24.
Robert Smith (36 carries, 112 yards) then outran a couple of Howard defenders into the corner of the end zone for a three-yard touchdown that snapped a 20-20 tie with 7 minutes 46 seconds left.
"We wore them down a little," Hampton Coach Joe Taylor said after the Pirates beat Howard for the fifth straight year. "They have a tremendous defense, but the no-huddle offense [lets] us have a fast pace."
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Hampton appeared in command at halftime with a 13-0 lead. Wilson started redshirt freshman Antoine Hartfield at quarterback, but alternated him with Donald Clark and Travis Coleman throughout the first half. He made 10 changes before settling on Clark to start the second half. Wilson changed quarterback 12 times in last week's loss to Jackson State.
Clark and wide receiver Jevonte Philpot connected for three touchdowns in a 20-point third quarter that helped the Bison rally from 13- and 14-point deficits. Clark threw touchdown passes of 23, 44 and 54 yards to Philpot, the final one tying the game with 1:48 left in the third period. But Allen Parks, a backup kicker, pulled the extra-point attempt left and the game remained tied at 20.
Philpot has scored all five of Howard's touchdowns this season. The senior had seven catches for 169 yards but did drop a key third-down pass in the fourth.
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Coleman struggled while playing much of the second quarter, completing only 4 of 15 passes for 21 yards. Clark took over in the second half, made several good throws and completed 10 of 19 for 191 yards and the three scores.
Wilson wouldn't commit to any of the three quarterbacks for Howard's next game, on Sept. 22 at Morgan State.
"We're looking for the guy that can win," Wilson said. "A quarterback's job is to get in a situation and make it right. We're looking to see not only the command of themselves but the team."
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