2017 Howard Bison football team

The 2017 Howard Bison football team represented Howard University in the 2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by first-year head coach Mike London. The Bison played their home games at William H. Greene Stadium. They were a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

2017 Howard Bison football
Conference	Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
2017 record	7–4 (6–2 MEAC)
Head coach	Mike London (1st season)
Offensive coordinator	Brennan Marion (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Vince Brown (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Chip West (1st season)
Home stadium	William H. Greene Stadium (Capacity: 7,086)

2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 7 North Carolina A&T $		8	–	0					12	–	0
Howard		6	–	2					7	–	4
Bethune–Cookman		6	–	2					7	–	4
North Carolina Central		5	–	3					7	–	4
Hampton		5	–	3					6	–	5
Norfolk State		4	–	4					4	–	7
Savannah State *		3	–	5					3	–	8
South Carolina State		2	–	6					3	–	7
Florida A&M *		2	–	6					3	–	8
Delaware State		2	–	6					2	–	9
Morgan State *		1	–	7					1	–	10
$ – Conference champion * Florida A&M, Morgan State and Savannah State ineligible for postseason due to APR violations Rankings from STATS Poll

The Bison kicked off the season by defeating UNLV, a 45-point favorite, in the biggest upset in college football history by point spread.[1] They would finish the season 7–4, 6–2 in MEAC play to finish in a tie for second place.

Previous season

The Bison started 2016 play with a Big Ten doubleheader: they opened the season at Maryland, losing by nearly 40, and then traveled to Rutgers, only to lose by 38. They recorded two more losses, against Hampton and Morgan State before notching their first win at Norfolk State. Five more losses then followed, and the Bison finished a dismal season with a win against last-place Delaware State. They finished tenth out of eleven in the MEAC.[2][3]

Before the season

Recruiting

On National Signing Day, Howard signed 23 athletes out of high school for their 2017 recruiting class.[4]

US college sports recruiting information for 2017 recruits
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Jordan Aley RB	King George, VA	King George HS	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	160 lb (73 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Bryan Cook CB	Mount Healthy, OH	Mount Healthy	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	165 lb (75 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Saevon Dinkins OL	Waldorf, MD	St. Charles HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	265 lb (120 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Justin Dooley WR	Lee's Summit, MO	Lee's Summit West HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Samaj Everett LB	Paramus, NJ	Paramus Catholic	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jaelin Ferdinand WR	Madison, AL	Madison Academy	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	170 lb (77 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Tye Freeland S	Dinwiddie, VA	Dinwiddie HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Taejon Gray CB	Waldorf, MD	Thomas Stone HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Quinton Hill RB	Jefferson Hills, PA	Thomas Jefferson HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Malik Hyatt TE	Gastonia, NC	Ashbrook HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Branden Johnson C	Olney, MD	Our Lady of Good Counsel	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Malcolm Johnson S	Springdale, MD	Charles H. Flowers HS	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	160 lb (73 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Tyree Leonard RB	Jonesboro, GA	Mount Zion HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Aaron Motley DE	Highland Springs, VA	Highland Springs HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	243 lb (110 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Antoine Murray WR	Miramar, FL	Miramar HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Caylin Newton QB	Atlanta, GA	Grady HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
James Newell DE	Akron, OH	Buchtel HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jayson Robinson CB	Sterling, VA	Dominion HS	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	160 lb (73 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jordan Scott ATH	Montvale, NJ	St. Joseph Regional HS	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)	163 lb (74 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
David Terrell Jr. WR	Wilmette, IL	Loyola Academy HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Aaron Walker S	Washington, D.C.	Friendship	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jamonne Williams S	DeSoto, TX	DeSoto HS	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	178 lb (81 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Brian Witter LB	Miramar, FL	Miramar HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 9, 2017.

Coaching staff

2017 Howard Bison coaching staff
	Head Coach Head Coach – Mike London Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks – Brennan Marion Special Teams Coordinator/ Running Backs – Kenny Lucas Run Game Coordinator/ Offensive Line – Darryl Bullock Wide Receivers – Mike London Jr. Halfback/Slot Wide Receivers – David Clowney Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers/Assistant Head Coach – Vince Brown Co-Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks/Recruiting Coordinator – Chip West Safeties/Assistant Recruiting Coordinator – Cato June Defensive Line – Keenan Carter			Administrative Staff Athletic Director (A.D.) – Kery Davis Director of Football Operations – Bryce Bevill

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 2	9:00 p.m.	at UNLV*	Sam Boyd Stadium Whitney, NV	STADIUM	W 43–40	15,667
September 9	3:30 p.m.	at Kent State*	Dix Stadium Kent, OH	ESPN3	L 31–38	20,312
September 16	2:00 p.m.	at No. 8 Richmond*	Robins Stadium Richmond, VA	CSN MA+	L 21–68	8,217
September 23	1:00 p.m.	Bethune–Cookman	William H. Greene Stadium Washington, D.C.	WHBC	W 26–24	2,217
October 7	1:00 p.m.	North Carolina Central	William H. Greene Stadium Washington, D.C.	WHBC	L 7–13	1,532
October 14	2:00 p.m.	at Delaware State	Alumni Stadium Dover, DE	WDSU-TV	W 52–23	3,337
October 21	1:00 p.m.	Morgan State	William H. Greene Stadium Washington, D.C.	SPORTSfever TV ESPN3	W 39–14	2,700
October 28	1:30 p.m.	at South Carolina State	Oliver C. Dawson Stadium Orangeburg, SC	FloFootball	W 28–20	15,096
November 4	4:00 p.m.	at Florida A&M	Bragg Memorial Stadium Tallahassee, FL	RV	W 37–26	17,234
November 11	1:00 p.m.	Norfolk State	William H. Greene Stadium Washington, D.C.	WHBC	W 28–24	1,678
November 18	1:00 p.m.	at Hampton	Armstrong Stadium Hampton, VA (Battle of "The Real HU")		L 17–20	8,142
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS FCS Poll released prior to game Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

• Source: Schedule

Roster

2017 Howard Bison Roster (Source)
Wide Receivers  1 Guy Lemonier Jr. – Senior  8 Antoine Murray – Freshman 12 Jequez Ezzard – Sophomore 13 Jordan Scott – Freshman 14 Evan Brooks – Junior 80 Damion Gillespie – Sophomore 81 Kyle Anthony – Sophomore 82 Tamlin Antoine – Freshman 83 Jaelin Ferdinand – Freshman 83 Chanse Pullen – Freshman 84 David Terrell, Jr. – Freshman 85 Justin Dooley – Freshman Offensive Line 61 Alec Damier – Sophomore 62 Branden Johnson – Freshman 63 Gerald Wright – Senior 65 Aaron Hutchins – Senior 67 Jordan Dunham – Senior 68 Demontre Buckson – Sophomore 70 Tyler Shadrach – Senior 73 James Holmon – Junior 75 Sean Smith – Sophomore 78 Phillip Flemming – Sophomore Tight Ends 53 Tyrone Ramsey – Sophomore 55 Howard Warren – Senior 87 Mason Jordan – Freshman Fullbacks 4 Da'Vaun Johnson – Freshman		Quarterbacks 2 Ramar Williams – Freshman 3 Caylin Newton – Freshman † 10 Jason Collins – Junior 15 Kalen Johnson – Senior 16 John Petricca – Sophomore Running Backs 7 Anthony Philyaw – Senior 11 Jordan Aley – Freshman 20 Dezmond Wortham – Graduate Student 22 Ricquaz Brannon – Junior 30 Quinton Hill – Freshman 33 Jamonne Williams – Freshman 44 Amir Lewis – Freshman 45 Jamal Francois II – Junior Defensive Line 50 Ken Larkin – Sophomore 90 James Newell – Freshman 92 Aaron Motley – Freshman 93 Mukuka Kusaba – Junior 96 Tyler Fuller – Sophomore 98 Saevon Dinkins – Freshman Defensive Ends 52 Richard Johnson – Senior 94 Isaiah Fludd – Junior 99 Tyree Leonard – Freshman Punters/Kickers 41 Isaiah Moore – Freshman 42 Dakota Lebofsky – Senior †		Linebackers 19 Elijah Anglin – Senior 26 Dominique Smith – Junior 28 Marcellos Allison – Sophomore 31 David Lee – Senior 35 Devin Hurtado – Sophomore 38 David Hudson – Junior 40 Devin Rollins – Senior 46 Leon Fields II – Junior 47 Semaj Everett – Freshman 50 Brian Witter – Freshman 57 Matthew McGill – Freshman 58 Zuri Godfrey – Freshman 59 Garrett Reaves – Freshman Defensive Backs  6 Bryan Cook – Freshman 17 Tye Freeland – Freshman 18 Travon Hunt – Senior 21 Alonte Dunn – Senior 23 Ibrahim Conteh – Senior 24 Malcolm Johnson – Senior 25 Leland Lassiter – Senior 27 Aaron Walker – Freshman 29 Yoseff Banks – Senior 32 Merrick Sims – Sophomore 34 Jayson Robinson – Freshman 36 Taejuan Gray – Freshman 37 Charles Robinson – Junior 48 Jayson Heyward – Freshman 49 Dimitrius Hutcherson – Freshman
† Starter at position     * Injured; did not play in 2017.

Game summaries

at UNLV

Howard at UNLV

1 2 3 4 Total • Bison 7 14 7 15 43 Rebels 6 14 13 7 40 Date: September 2, 2017 Location: Sam Boyd Stadium Whitney, NV Game start: 9:06 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 3:29 Game attendance: 15,667 Game weather: Temperature: 108 °F (42 °C), Wind: 5 mph ESE, Weather: Clear/Hot Referee: Vidal Jones TV announcers (Stadium): Tony Cordasco and Joe Arrigo

Scoring summary 1 13:26 Howard Caylin Newton 52-yard touchdown run (Dakota Lebofsky kick), Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 1:34 7–0 1 11:23 UNLV Evan Pantels 44-yard field goal, Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 1:57 7–3 1 05:36 UNLV Evan Pantels 28-yard field goal, Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 2:17 7–6 2 12:56 Howard Kyle Anthony 1-yard pass from Caylin Newton (Dakota Lebofsky kick), Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 4:14 14–6 2 09:14 UNLV Evan Pantels 26-yard field goal, Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:39 14–9 2 05:56 Howard Devin Rollins 75 yard fumble recovery (Dakota Lebofsky kick), Drive: 4 plays, 43 yards, 1:12 21–9 2 01:27 UNLV Lexington Thomas 1-yard run (Evan Pantels kick), Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 4:24 21–16 2 00:00 UNLV Evan Pantels 30-yard field goal, Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 0:49 21–19 3 12:20 UNLV Devonte Boyd 25-yard pass from Armani Rodgers (Evan Pantels kick), Drive: 1 play, 25 yards, 0:08 21–26 3 06:45 UNLV Charles William 1-yard run (Evan Pantels kick), Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 2:21 21–33 3 01:17 Howard Anthony Phillyaw 1-yard run (Dakota Lebofsky kick), Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 5:32 28–33 4 14:09 Howard Anthony Phillyaw 11-yard run (Caylin Newton Run for two-point conv.), Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 2:04 36–33 4 10:12 UNLV Lexington Thomas 3-yard (Evan Pantels kick), Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:57 36–40 4 07:34 Howard Caylin Newton 4-yard run (Dakota Lebofsky kick), Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 2:32 43–40

The Bison opened their 2017 season on the road against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent UNLV in Whitney, NV. Despite being a 45-point underdog to the Rebels, the Bison were able to leave Las Vegas with their first win over a Division I FBS opponent in the program's history.[5][6] Following the win, media outlets immediately hailed it as the greatest upset in college football history against the spread.[1][7]

In his collegiate debut, freshman quarterback Caylin Newton completed 15 of 26 passes for a total 190 yards; he threw 1 touchdown, a 1-yard pass in the 2nd quarter, and 1 interception. Newton was also able to display his abilities on the ground by leading in rushing yards with 21 carries, 190 yards and 2 touchdowns. Senior running back Anthony Phillyaw ran for 71 yards on s completions for 2 touchdowns. Phillyaw was also the top receiver with 3 receptions, 62 yards, 20.7 yards per reception.[5][8]

at Kent State

Howard at Kent State

1 2 3 4 Total Bison 7 7 10 7 31 • Golden Flashes 14 7 2 15 38 Date: September 9, 2017 Location: Dix Stadium Kent, OH Game start: 3:35 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 3:47 Game attendance: 20,312 Game weather: Temperature: 66 °F (19 °C), Wind: 8 mph NNE, Weather: Partly Cloudy Referee: Matt Packowski TV announcers (ESPN3): Michael Reghi and Jerod Cherry

Scoring summary 1 13:34 Kent State Nick Holley 38-yard run (Shane Hynes kick), Drive: 1 play, 38 yards, 0:10 0–7 1 09:29 Kent State Justin Rankin 25-yard pass from Nick Holley (Shane Hynes kick), Drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 2:27 0–14 1 08:33 Howard Kyle Anthony 16-yard pass from Caylin Newton (Dakota Lebofsky kick), Drive: 3 plays, 77 yards, 0:49 7–14 2 12:12 Kent State Raekwon James 25-yard pass from Nick Holley (Shane Hynes kick), Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 4:34 7–21 2 02:05 Howard Anthony Philyaw 75-yard run (Dakota Lebofsky kick), Drive: 2 plays, 97 yards, 0:36 14–21 3 09:52 Howard Dakota Lebofsky 23-yard field goal, Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 2:54 17–21 3 06:15 Kent State Team Safety, Drive: 7 plays, −5 yards, 2:09 17–23 3 02:09 Howard Caylin Newton 1-yard run (Dakota Lebofsky kick), Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 3:37 24–23 4 12:35 Kent State Kesean Gamble 1-yard run (Nick Holley Run for two-point conv.), Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 4:21 24–31 4 05:56 Kent State Kesean Gamble 3-yard run (Nick Holley Run for two-point conv.), Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 4:56 24–38 4 03:16 Howard Caylin Newton 4-yard run (Dakota Lebofsky kick), Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 2:36 31–38

After their first win over an FBS team in program history, the Bison were looking to make lightning strike two weeks in a row with a win over Kent State. Kent State's fourth quarter rally, and an interception by Kent State's Demetrius Monday gave the Golden Flashes the win.[9] The Bison recorded 432 yards of total offense, including 226 yards passing and 206 yards Rushing. Quarterback Caliyn Newton threw 9 for 22 completions with a total 225 yards passing including 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Other standout performers include: Running Back Anthony Philyaw who ran for 147 yards rushing on 20 carries, including 1 touchdown and receiver Jequez Ezzard who recorded 120 yards.[9][10]

Ranking movements

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	Final
STATS	NR	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	NR	NR	NR	RV	RV	RV	RV		Not released
Coaches
BoxToRow Media Poll and Coaches Poll (BTR)	NR	6	5	8	5	6	10	9	8	6	6	5

References

1. Thompson, Chris (September 3, 2017). "Cam Newton's Brother Led The Largest Point-Spread Upset In College Football History". deadspin.com. Deadspin. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
2. "Howard Bison 2016 Football Schedule". hubison.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
3. "Howard Bison Schedule – 2016". espn.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
4. "Howard Inks 23 on National Signing Day". Howard University Athletics. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
5. "Howard vs. UNLV – Game Recap – September 2, 2017 – ESPN". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
6. Kirshner, Alex (September 3, 2017). "Cam Newton's little brother just led the biggest Vegas upset in college football history". sbnation.com. SB Nation. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
7. Bromberg, Nick (September 3, 2017). "Howard's win over UNLV is biggest upset vs. spread in college football history". sports.yahoo.com. Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
8. "Howard vs UNLV – Box Score". www.hubison.com. Howard University Athletics. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
9. "Howard vs. Kent State – Game Recap – September 9, 2017 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
10. "Howard vs Kent State – Box Score". www.hubison.com. Howard University Athletics. Retrieved October 16, 2017.