Complete game notes

The Game
This is a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference between the Bison of Howard University and the Pirates of Hampton University.  The Bison (2-2 overall, 0-1 in the MEAC) are coming off a 7-3 win over Winston-Salem State University this past Saturday while the Pirates (2-2 overall, 1-1 in the MEAC) had a bye.  Hampton last played on September 26 and dropped a 21-6 home decision to Delaware State.

Stadium
Armstrong Stadium (17,000)

Notes and more
www.howard-bison.com

Series Information
Hampton has won 12 in a row in the series including last year's 38-27 win in Hampton, VA. The Pirates hold a 45-39-1 in the series, which dates back to 1908.

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 8-19 record to date, (2-2 overall and 0-1 MEAC record).  Hampton University is coached by Donovan Rose (Hampton '79), who is in his first season as head coach with a 2-2 record to date.

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...Lawrence Ellis enters his first season as defensive line coach and William Smith will serve as kicking coach.

Representing
Howard is currently second among all HBCUs in players in the National Football League with five:  Tracy White (Philadelphia Eagles), Marques Douglas (New York Jets), Antoine Bethea (Indianapolis Colts), Ronald Bartell, Jr. (St. Louis Rams) and Geoff Pope (Cincinnati Bengals).  The Bison also boast three former players who are on coaching staffs: Jimmie Johnson (Minnesota Vikings/TEs coach), Pep Hamilton (Chicago Bears/QBs coach) and Roy Anderson (Baltimore Ravens/defensive coach).

Turnaround
After being victimized by FAMU return specialist extraordinaire, Leroy Vann, Howard has turned it around in the past two games...Patrick Wolff, the punter, averaged 40 yards per punt, but more importantly, he had eight that landed inside the opponents' 10-yard line...it has helped the defense in limiting opponents to one TD in eight quarters of play...the kickoff team has also played a role by recovering two of three kickoffs...senior kicker John Mendoza has been especially adept in executing the strategy...additionally, the Bison have twice converted fourth downs from the punt formations as both Martin Corniffe and Robert Parker III have been successful.

The Bison may have finally found the punt returner they have been looking for in Jeff Miller...the junior transfer from Iona, is averaging almost 8 yards per return.

Next Up
The Bison have a short week as they will travel to Baltimore, MD to take on the Bears of Morgan State University on Thursday, October 15 in a nationally televised game on ESPNU.  Hampton travels across the Bay to take on rival on Norfolk State on Saturday, October 17 at 1 pm.

Setting the Scene

Howard
Offense:  The offense will be led by red-shirt senior QB FLOYD HAIGLER (55 of 125, 565 yards, 3 TDs, 3 interceptions; 43 carries, 108 yards), sophomore WR WILLIE CARTER (18 receptions, 259 yards, 2 TDs), freshman TB ANDRA WILLIAMS (22 carries, 107 yards), senior WR BRANDON SHERMAN (8 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD) and red-shirt senior WR TODD HUGHES (8 receptions, 69 yards). 

Defense:  The defense is led by red-shirt freshman OLB KEITH POUGH (17 solos, 13 assists, 6.0 tackles for losses), red-shirt sophomore LB PATRICK JEAN MARY (4 solos, 11 assists), sophomore LB IAN SIMON (9 solos, 18 assists tackles), senior DE WILL CRONER (8 solos, 12 assists, 4.5 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks), red-shirt senior CB GERALD JACKSON (12 tackles, 1 assists), red-shirt sophomore DB LANNY KELLY (5 tackles, a fumble recovery, 2 interceptions), senior safeties ARANDO JAMISON (13 tackles,9 assists, a sack, a forced fumble, an interception) and MARTIN CORNIFFE (14 tackles).

BISON HOOVES: Howard has not allowed a rushing TD in the last 8 quarters of play...this is the first that the Bison have started the season at 2-2 since the 2005 season...it is also the first time they have won straight since the 2007 season...the 116 yards receiving yards vs. WSSU marked the third time that Willie Carter has eclipsed the century mark in yards in 10 games...the Bison have lost 6 fumbles this season.

Hampton
Offense:   The Pirates are led by red shirt junior QB HERBERT BYNES (24 of 46, 363 yards, 3 TDs), sophomore QB DAVID LEGREE (20 of 47, 330 yards, 2 TDs), senior RB LAMARCUS COKER   (66 carries, 428 yards, 2 TDs; 8 receptions, 118 yards), junior RB STEVE ROBINSON (20 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD)senior WR DAMON MCDANIEL (13 receptions, 230 yards, 3 TDs) and junior WR ISIAH THOMAS (8 receptions, 158 yards, 1 TD).

Defense: On defense, Hampton is senior LB BRANDON ROUNTREE (13 solos, 13 assists, 4.5 tackles for losses, 2.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, junior LB JULIO SANCHEZ (15 solos, 11 assists, 2.5 tackles for losses), red-shirt senior DE CHARLES YOUNG (7 solos, 12 assists, 4.0 tackles for losses, 3.0 sacks), junior DT KENDRICK ELLIS (10 solos, 11 assists, 6.5 tackles for losses) and red-shirt junior LB BRANDON PEGUESE (7 solos, 13 assists, 4.5 tackles for losses, 3.0 sacks).

PIRATE TREASURES: Hampton has been handicapped all season by penalties...the Pirates have been penalized 50 times for a whopping 116 yards per game...Hampton has also been mistake prone, fumbling 9 times and losing 4...Coker is having his best season and is averaging over 6 yards per carry...the explosive Pirates are averaging almost 16 yards per reception...two of Hampton's top performers  have ties to the DC area, wide receiver/return specialist Isaiah Thomas (Dunbar) and defensive end Charles Young (Gonzaga).