Saturday, October 13, 2007

Football: Howard University at Morgan State

Records: Bison 2-3, 0-2 MEAC; Bears 3-3, 1-2
When: Hughes Stadium, Baltimore
Where:1 p.m.
Radio: 88.9 FM

HANG ON TIGHT: Howard leads the MEAC in time of possession and pass-efficiency defense. Part of that ability to hang onto the ball can be attributed to third-down efficiency, in which the Bison rank second in the league. Individually, quarterback Brian Johnson is second in the conference in total offense with 258.6 yards per game and third in passing with 194.4 yards per game.

BEARING DOWN: Morgan State leads division I-AA in takeaways with 18 and ranks second in tackles for losses and sacks (3.67 per game). Bryan Wilson is tied for first nationally in forced fumbles, and Jerrell Guyton leads the country in tackles for losses (2.42 per game).

SLOW STARTS: The Bison have a chance to jump out to an early lead. The Bears have outscored their opponents in every quarter but the first, in which they have been outscored by a combined 35-7 this season.

OUTLOOK: The overall play of the Morgan State defense and the improved consistency of the two-quarterback offense have been the primary reasons the team has put together back-to-back wins. Can the Bears extend that streak to three straight victories at homecoming? QBs Byron Selby and Mario Melton didn't have eye-popping stats (13-for-23 for 130 yards) last week, but they didn't throw any interceptions.

The Bears are getting too many penalties (111 yards), a fact that will eventually hurt them in key situations. However, nothing seems to halt senior All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference RB Chad Simpson, who runs for high yardage game after game. Simpson had 181 yards, including a 46-yard TD last week. LB Jarrell Guyton keeps on making key stops on defense, with 10 tackles last week.

Howard Bison always plays some of its best football against Morgan State, and is hoping some of the momentum from last week's 41-14 romp over Cheyney University will carry over to this game. The Bison are 0-2 in league play but have two potent offensive weapons in QB Brian Johnson and RB Terry Perry.

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