Game Notes: Howard at Norfolk State
The Game
This is a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference between the
Bison of Howard University and the Spartans of Norfolk State
University. The Bison (2-5 overall, 0-4 in the MEAC) are
coming off a 30-19 loss to North Carolina A&T State University
at home this past Saturday while the Spartans (3-4 overall, 2-3 in
the MEAC) dropped a 34-20 road decision to Florida A&M
University on the road on Saturday. The Bison have lost three
in a row.
Series Information
Norfolk State snapped a two-game losing streak to the
Bison last year with a win at Greene Stadium. Howard, who has
won three out of the last four, leads the series, 15-5.
Record: Howard leads 15-5
First Meeting: Howard 49, NSU 28 (1981)
Last Meeting: NSU 49, Howard 12 (2008)
Pete Adrian vs. HU: 2-2
Carey Bailey vs. NSU: 1-1
Largest NSU win: 37 (2008, 49-12)
Largest HU win: 37 (1987, 43-6)
Following the Action
The game will be broadcast on WNSB, WXTG, 1490 AM and
102.1 FM. Spartan fans can follow the action on WNSB, 91.1.
Chris handles play by play and Ross Gordon provides color
commentary.
The Coaches
Howard University is coached by Carey
Bailey (University of Tennessee, '92), who is in his third
season at the helm and has an 8-22 record to date. Norfolk State
University is coached by Pete Adrian (West
Virginia University, ‘70), who is in his fifth year and has a
27-31 record to date there. Adrian's overall coaching record
is 63-68-1 in 11-plus seasons.
New Additions
Veteran assistant coach Nick Calcutta takes over the
duties of offensive line coach and offensive coordinator...Jafar
Williams, a former standout wide receiver at the University of
Maryland, takes over as wide receivers coach for Alvin
Harper...Reggie Ellis enters his first season as defensive line
coach and William Smith will serve as kicking coach.
Next Up
The Bison will host South Carolina State next Saturday at
home while the Spartans travel to Baltimore, MD to take on the
Bears of Morgan State University at 4 pm.
Setting the Scene
Howard
Offense: The offense will be
led by red-shirt senior QB FLOYD HAIGLER (91 of
215, 941 yards, 5 TDs, 7 interceptions; 65 carries, 133 yards),
sophomore WR WILLIE CARTER (30 receptions, 392
yards, 3 TDs), freshman TB ANDRA WILLIAMS (85
carries, 348 yards, 1 TD), senior WR
BRANDON SHERMAN (17 receptions, 213 yards, 1 TD)
and red-shirt senior WR TODD HUGHES (10
receptions, 93 yards).
Defense: The defense is led by red-shirt freshman OLB KEITH POUGH (26 solos, 18 assists, 10.5 tackles for losses, 6 QB hurries), sophomore LB IAN SIMON (22 solos, 25 assists tackles, 2.0 tackles for losses, an interception), senior DE WILL CRONER (15 solos, 19 assists, 6.0 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks), red-shirt senior LB ROBERT PARKER (17 tackles, 19 assists), red-shirt sophomore DB LANNY KELLY (5 tackles, a fumble recovery, 2 interceptions), senior safety ARANDO JAMISON (21 tackles,13 assists, 2.0 tackles for losses, a sack, a forced fumble, an interception) and red-shirt junior LB JERMELL ELLIS (11 solos, 16 assists, 2.0 tackles for losses).
Bison Hooves: Howard is second in opponent first downs, third in third down conversions and fourth in time of possessions and in pass efficiency defense...Simon is tied for 7th in tackles and Pough is 3rd in tackles for losses...Pough received honorable mention for MEAC Weekly honors along with Ian Simon...the offense has struggled all season and is averaging under 10 points per game...the Bison have been outscored, 130-44 in the first half this season...still another factor in Howard's lack of success has been the turnover factor where the Bison are a minus 8...Howard has lost 15 straight MEAC games dating back to 2007...the Bison last conference win came against Norfolk State in 2007 when the Spartans were nationally ranked...Willie Carter has caught at least one pass in all 13 games he has played in during his career...he has had a chance to exhibit his other football skills as a kick returner and a punt returner...he made his debut as a punt returner against NC A&T and responded by averaging 10 yards per return.
Norfolk State
Offense: The Spartans are led by
red-shirt senior QB DENNIS BROWN (101 of 176,
1,253 yards, 11 TDs, 7 interceptions; 83 rushes, 287 yards, 4 TDs),
red-shirt junior RB DEANGELO BRANCHE
(97 carries, 474 yards, 4 TDs), red-shirt junior WR
CHRIS BELL (27 receptions, 513 yards, 7 TDs) and sophomore
WR PJ HAYDEN (16 receptions, 248 yards, 4 TDs).
Defense: On defense, Norfolk State is led by junior LB AARON TAYLOR (31 solos, 21 assists, 8.0 tackles for losses, 4.0 sacks, senior DB TERREL WHITEHEAD (23 solos, 24 assists, 2.0 tackles for losses, 2 interceptions) red-shirt sophomore CORWIN HAMMOND (17 solos, 17 assists, 4.5 tackles for losses, 2.0 sacks, an interception), senior DB JOSH ANDERSON (13 solos, 20 assists, 2.5 tackles for losses) and red-shirt sophomore DL JOSH TURNER (10 solos, 15 assists, 5.0 tackles for losses, 1.5 sacks).
Spartan Notes: Norfolk State is 2nd in the MEAC in total defense (274.9), in interceptions, in sacks (18) and in third down conversions...the Spartans are third in scoring (24.6), in total offense (315.9), in passing offense (179.4) and in rushing defense (124.4). ..Brown is second in total offense and third in passing offense...Branch is 4th in rushing and Chris Bell leads in receiving yards per game and is tied for 5th in receptions per game.
