Howard 20, N.C. A&T 16
Colbert, Defense Help Howard Pull Out Win
By Brandon M. Bickerstaff
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Junior running back Jay Colbert rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning nine-yard scamper with just under two minutes remaining as the Howard University defeated Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival North Carolina A&T, 20-16, in a hard-fought victory in front of 3,250 at Greene Stadium.
Coming off a disappointning, 38-20 homecoming loss to Morgan State, the Bison (4-3, 2-2 MEAC) looked to get back on the winning track with a win against the Aggies (3-5, 1-3 MEAC), who embarrassed Howard, 76-30last year in Greensboro, N.C.
"This was a big win for us," said senior defensive back Rashad Frazier (7 tackles, 2 for losses) who blocked two field goals on the day, including one late in the fourth quarter that set up Howard's game-winning drive. "A lot of guys thought we should have beat Morgan. This puts us back on track and gives us the opportunity to go 8-3."
In an unusual twist, penalties worked in the Bison's favor through most of the game as the Aggies were penalized 18 times for 148 yards, including a crucial offensive pass interference call in the Red Zone that stalled a drive late in the third quarter.
Howard, the MEAC's most penalized team a year ago, had a season low three penalties for 32 yards.
"(Penalties) are one thing we've tried to correct," said Bison first year head coach Ray Petty. "We spent time placing an emphasis on not having penalties, especially in crucial situations. Penalties definitely changed the momentum (in this game)."
Both teams had trouble finding the end zone early, though the Aggies had no problem moving the ball thanks to a strong effort from freshman running back D'Brian Hudgins (21 carries, 139 yards, 1 TD). After NC A&T reached the Bison 13 on its opening drive, Howard's Lemont Williams poked the ball free from Hudgins' arms, and Bison safety Rontarius Robinson returned the loose ball 52 yards to the Aggie 28.
Yet Howard failed to capitalize seven plays later as Bison quarterback Donald Clark (17-for-35, 215 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs) threw an interception into the waiting arms of Aggie linebacker Charles Parham at the goal line.
The Aggies finally got on the board when Pat Simcox connected on a 24-yard field goal with 9:34 left in the second quarter to make it, 3-0. Later, NC A&T tried to make it a 6-0 halftime lead, but Frazier blocked Simcox's 35-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the half.
Starting from their own 36-yard line on the second drive of the third quarter, the Aggies increased their lead when Hudgins found daylight, breaking three Bison tackles en route to a 55-yard touchdown run. Simcox's extra point was good, making it 10-0 with 13:10 to go in the third.
Two drives later, Howard's offense finally found some rhythm as Clark hooked up with wide receiver Jonathan Brewer for 25 yards to reach the Aggie 25. Four plays later, on a fourth-and-14 play, Clark found wide receiver Kevin Simmonds for a 26-yard touchdown strike. The Bison failed on a two-point conversion attempt and trailed, 10-6.
But the Aggies responded quickly when Hudgins took the ensuing kickoff 84 yards to the end zone. A failed Simcox extra point gave N.C. A&T a 16-6 advantage with 6:36 remaining in the third.
Not surprisingly, it was another NC A&T penalty, this time a defensive pass interference call, that helped set up Colbert's first touchdown of the day, a 13-yard skirt behind some fine blocking that brought Howard to within four at 16-12, just 15 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Later, Frazier's second block on the day put Howard on its own 22. After an Aggie offsides penalty on a third-and-1 gave the Bison a first down at the 50, Clark scrambled and found junior wide receiver Daryl Nunn in the middle of the field for a 33-yard gain. On the next play, still another Aggie pass interference penalty moved Howard to the Aggie 9, setting up Colbert's game-winning score.
"Everyone on the sideline just said 'We've got to believe,' " said Colbert. "Everyone stepped up and made big plays and we came out victorious.
"This game was huge. We owed them. It keeps us on track and gives us a lot of confidence."
"My kids played really hard," said NC A&T head coach Bill Hayes. "This was one of the hardest games we've played all season. We were plagued with penalties and Howard just made plays when they had to."
"We came out flat, so we had to step it up, especially after (Hudgins') long run," said Bison linebacker Tracy White (10 tackles, one for loss). "The defense just made a pact: 'We can't let them score anymore.' "
Howard's next game will be against the Spartans of Norfolk State on Saturday, Nov. 2 in Greene Stadium at 12 noon.
GAME NOTES: NC A&T was penalized 18 times for 148 yards…a
third of the penalties resulted in first downs for Howard…there were
several standouts on defense…in addition to his key plays on special
teams, Rashad Frazier finished with seven solos and two tackles for
losses…Greensboro, NC native Anthony Hart had five solos, 2 assists
and a tackle for a loss…freshman defensive lineman Jesse Hayes (4 solos,
2 assists) continues to show promise…junior wide receiver Daryl Nunn
had his best day as a Bison with five receptions for 59 yards, including
three catches in the fourth quarter.
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