The college football season is rapidly approaching and expectations are high for the local teams from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Bowie State, Morgan State and Howard are all coming off successful seasons and figure to be in competition for conference titles and postseason berths.
Bowie State Prepares to Build on Last Season’s Momentum
The Bowie State Bulldogs (6-4 overall, 5-3 CIAA) ended last season winning their last three games and hoping that the momentum will carry into the 2024 season. Bowie State has been picked to finish fifth in the tough Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) under third-year head coach Kyle Jackson.
On offense, the Bulldogs were young but are hopeful that the end-of-the-season success translates into motivation.
The quarterbacking duties look to be a battle between redshirt junior Amir Jenkins and redshirt sophomore Jordan Morse. Jenkins was 104-of-169 passing for almost 1,100 yards and five touchdowns. Morse proved to be a dual threat, passing for 575 yards while ranking among team leaders with 175 yards rushing yards.
Whoever gets the call will be handing off to redshirt senior Corey Johnson (81 carries, 281 yards and two touchdowns). The receiving corps should be a threat with the return of redshirt seniors Kyle Parker and Christopher Ferguson.
On the defensive side, the Bulldogs will hang their success on the play and leadership of All-CIAA defensive back Devin Williams. One of the premier players at his position in Division II, Williams recorded 36 tackles, three interceptions and led the conference with 11 pass breakups.
Another player who had an outstanding campaign and showed that he is a force to be reckoned with is redshirt defensive tackle Shawan Lewis. He proved to be an impact player, recording 45 tackles, 12 tackles for losses, and 7.5 sacks.
Yet, another factor for the Bulldogs defense is redshirt senior defensive back Hasan Mosley, who recorded 38 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for losses.
And for good measure, sophomore Jamir Roberts brought excitement as a return specialist, averaging almost 25 yards per return.
On Sept. 7, Bowie State opens the season at Lenoir Rhyne.
Morgan State University Gears Up for Season, Picked Third in MEAC Pre-Season Poll
Morgan State (4-6, 3-2 MEAC) has made great strides in its first two years under Damon Wilson.
In 2022, the Bears were competitive despite their record. Then, they took another step, finishing second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), losing a close 14-7 score game to Howard in the season finale. A win would have given the Bears a three-way tie for first.
Morgan State has been picked third in the MEAC preseason poll.
Morgan State hangs its hat on its defense, perhaps one of the best in all of the Football Championship Division (FCS). The Bears led the conference in points allowed (21.4), total yards allowed (308.5), rushing yards allowed (128.5) and third in pass defense (180.4). In addition, the Bears tied for eighth in the nation in turnovers gained, recording 12 fumble recoveries and 11 interceptions in 10 games.
That unit figures to continue its proficiency with the return of All-Conference selections defensive lineman Elijah Williams and senior linebacker Erick Hunter, along with seniors Nan Asante and Arturo Mattocks.
A senior from Jersey City, New Jersey, Williams proved to be the most dominant defensive lineman in his position, finishing with 50 tackles, including 11 tackles for losses. His partnering up with Asante kept offenses off balance by picking up 19 tackles, 3.5 tackles for losses to go along with two sacks. He also led the MEAC with three blocked kicks.
Hunter is regarded by some as one of the best at his position in the FCS. A Buck Buchanan finalist for the best defender, Hunter proved to be a nightmare for offenses with 75 tackles, six tackles for losses, two forced fumbles to his season’s work.
Offensively, the Bears have struggled at times, but they are encouraged by the performance of sophomore Tahj Smith, who played well down the stretch, passing for almost 500 yards and three touchdowns in the last four games. The offense should also be bolstered by the return of senior RB J.J. Davis, who rushed for 584 yards and two touchdowns, averaging five yards per carry.
The passing game should also be improved with the return of junior wide receivers Anthony James Jr. and Demier Shipley, who combined for 34 catches and two touchdowns.
On special teams, Keith Jenkins Jr. is one of the most dangerous return specialists in the conference as he averaged over 23 yards per return, including a 90-yard score.
On Aug. 31, the Bears open the season at Hampton.
Howard University Prepares to Continue Success in MEAC
When Howard coach Larry Scott took over the head coaching duties in 2020, he proclaimed for all to hear that the Bison were looking to build not just a team, but a successful program. Well, if they were not listening to his proclamation, they are now. The Bison again finished in a tie with rival North Carolina Central (NCCU) for first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) for the second straight year, but despite the tie, they were awarded with a trip to the coveted Celebration Bowl by virtue of a win over the Eagles.
Although the Bison came up short in a 31-26 thriller to Florida A&M, Howard (6-6, 4-1 MEAC) will be looking to three-peat. The Bison have been picked to finish second behind NCCU.
On defense, graduate defensive back Kenny Gallop Jr. has received every accolade afforded to a player at the collegiate level. After being named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, Gallop continued to build on his impressive resume.
He has also been named the MEAC Preseason Player of the Year. The hard-hitting safety collected 65 tackles, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.
Gallop has plenty of support returning in senior defensive back Carson Hinton, senior linebacker Terrence Hollon and senior cornerback Robert Jones III.
Hinton has also had his share of honors with 47 tackles, 4.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. Hollon led the team in tackles (66) and second in tackles for losses (6.5).
Jones has quietly established himself as one of the best lockdown defenders in the MEAC. The senior led the team with five pass breakups. Also expected to be a factor on defense is senior defensive lineman Jamel Stewart (29 tackles, 14 solos, and 2.5 sacks).
Offensively, the Bison will have to replace four-year starter Quinton Williams. Redshirt Ja’Shawn Scroggins, graduate Zachary Yeager (transfer from North Carolina A&T State) and senior Jaylon Tolbert figure to battle it out for the starting nod.
The challenge should be made easier with the return of the vaunted two-headed rushing attack of graduate Jarret Hunter and junior Eden James.
Hunter, MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, rushed for 629 yards and nine touchdowns while grabbing 26 passes good for two touchdowns.
James, a first-team MEAC preseason selection, along with Hunter in the backfield, is equally dangerous. He led the team in rushing with 627 yards and two touchdowns while catching 13 passes and a touchdown.
The receiving game should be intact with the return of Kasey Hawthorne, another first-team selection, who grabbed 38 passes for three touchdowns while also rushing for 185 and five touchdowns. He also added the first touchdown pass of his career, making him a bona fide triple threat.
Richie Ilarraza quietly grabbed 32 passes and up-and-coming redshirt sophomore Breylin Smith caught 22 passes and two touchdowns.
Upfront, the Bison will have to replace three starters but first-team all-Conference selection, senior guard Darius Fox ranks as one of the best at his position in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
The Bison opened the season early when they traveled to New Jersey to take on Big 10 opponent Rutgers in a Thursday night game (Aug. 27). Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.