East Rutherford, NJ | The Morehouse Maroon Tigers traveled to the New York/New Jersey area to face Howard in the third annual HBCUNY Classic, held at MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, NJ, before over 30,000 in attendance.
Howard took the opening kickoff back to the Howard 47-yard line. The Bison would score a touchdown on the drive, utilizing 12 plays and consume 5:08 off the clock.
Miles Scott would be the starting signal caller for the Maroon Tigers, their third starting QB in three games played this season. Scott played in six games as a freshman for the Maroon Tigers last season, starting five of them.
After a three-and-out by Morehouse, Howard would march 61 yards in 2:23 to increase their lead to 14-0.
First bright spot for the Maroon Tigers came on defense. After the Bison gained a first down, the defense would come up big during the next series of downs, holding on 4th down. Stephen Rowser would collect a sack to give the Maroon Tigers possession at the Morehouse 35-yard line.
Despite the slight shift in momentum, the Morehouse offense was still unable to move the ball, going three-and-out again. The defense would hold and force a punt, but Morehouse would muff the punt, and Howard would maintain possession, to close out the first quarter. Opening the second quarter, the Bison would cross midfield, but the Maroon Tiger defense would hold once again on 4th down.
The Morehouse offense would finally come alive, crossing mid-field for the first time. Entering the red zone, Miles Scott would find Kamrin Brunson for an apparent touchdown, but Brunson would be ruled out-of-bounds by the replay official, bringing up 3rd down. Scott would hit Ajani Williams on a back-shoulder fade on the next play, with the official marking Williams out at the one-half yard line. Another replay would occur, and this time, the replay official would rule in favor of the Maroon Tigers, overturning the call and awarding Morehouse the touchdown (Khason Kirkland PAT), cutting the Maroon Tigers deficit to 14-7, with 7:26 remaining in the half.
Howard would march right back down the field and use six plays to drive 68-yards in 3:14 to open the lead back to 14 points at 21-7.
After a penalty on the ensuing kickoff forced Morehouse to start inside their own 10-yard line, the Maroon Tigers would go three-and-out. A Morehouse punt would give Howard the ball at mid-field. The Morehouse defense would once again come up big, stopping the Bison on 4th down at the Maroon Tiger 39 yard line. The two teams would trade possessions to end the half, with a score of Howard 21, Morehouse 7.
Misfortune continued to open the 2nd half. Morehouse would fumble on the opening kickoff, and Howard would recover at the Morehouse 31 yard line. Morehouse would hold Howard to a field goal attempt, which would go wide-left.
After a subsequent three-and-out by Morehouse, Howard would score in just four plays, covering 44 yards, in just 35 seconds, bringing the score to 28-7, in favor of the Bison. The quarter would end with the same score.
Towards the end of the 3rd quarter, Seve Spruill would send a punt to the Howard 2 yard line. The Bison would drive the length of the field to put their fifth touchdown on the scoreboard, with 13:22 remaining in the 4th quarter.
The Maroon Tigers would out-score the Bison in the final quarter. After another Morehouse punt, Howard would throw an interception on a flea-flicker attempt, with the interception occurring on the Howard 19 yard line. Isaiah Windbush would return the ball to the Morehouse 45 yard line. The Maroon Tigers would capitalize off of the turnover, driving four plays in 1:55, giving the Scott to Williams combination their second touchdown of the day, with a 21-yard pass (Kirkland PAT), cutting the deficit to 35-14.
After the two teams traded possessions, Morehouse would score their final touchdown of the day, on a seven play, 63-yard drive, taking exactly two minutes off of the clock. Scott would hit Kamrin Brunson in the middle of the end zone, for the score (Kirkland PAT), making the score 35-21, Howard, which would be the final score.
On the day, Miles Scott would go 17/31, with zero interceptions, and three touchdowns. Ajani Williams would catch six passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns, while Kamrin Brunson would haul in four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. Caleb Grant would lead the defense with 12 tackles. Sean Johnson and Stephen Rowser would each have eight tackles. Johnson had one sack while Rowser had two sacks and forced a fumble. Seve Spruill would punt the ball nine times for a 38.3 yard average, including a long of 58 yards and one punt downed inside the five yard line.
The Maroon Tigers travel to Chicago, IL next Saturday, to face Kentucky State in the 26th Annual Chicago Football Classic. Kickoff from Soldier Field is scheduled for 4:30 PM ET. For up to date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com
