Howard opens season with Morehouse

Robert Stephens, Featured Writer

Rivalry is being revamped.

“Discipline and fundamentals” is the motto of
Howard University coach Gary Harrell as the Bison
Open their 2012 football campaign Saturday, hosting
Morehouse at RFK stadium in the AT&T Football classic.

“We are big on discipline and fundamentals and that is what we worked on all week,” said Harrell at his preseason press conference following the Bison's second scrimmage. “I was pleased with the effort today...We had less penalties and we executed better on offense”.

Tight end Kevin Johnson showed some promise at Saturday’s scrimmage. “ e is somewhat inconsistent at
times but there is but there is no question of his skills
and ability that can add something to this football team”
said Harrell.

Howard returns eight players on offense and six
on defense as they look to improve on last years record
on 5-6.

On offense Howard is led by MEAC preseason
pick sophomore quarterback Greg McGhee. The Pittsburgh
native completed 182-321-1784 yards and 13 touchdowns.
McGhee also rushed for 569 yards in addition to his
passing prowess.

The running back position is stocked with
returning veterans Senior Terrance LeFall (971) yards,
Junior Andra Williams, and sophomore Aquanius
Freeman. Freeman was impressive at Howard’s
scrimmage.

“It's no secret that the running back position is
the deepest on the team,” said coach Harrell. “We intend
to take advantage of that depth and talent”.

Junior wide receiver Clayton Gidron will anchor the wide out position.

The offensive line is anchored by MEAC preseason first team selections senior Cory Gwimmer and Davin Morris.

The Bison seem set at QB.

The defense is led by senior linebacker Keith
Pough. Pough at 6’3-225lbs, is a first team all MEAC
selection as well as being considered as one of the
top linebackers in the country. Junior linebacker
Anthony Whitlow finished with 48 tackles last year
ranking him 5th among Bison tacklers. Senior
DeCarlos Knight and junior Julien David lead the
secondary.

Up front senior tackle Rodney Hill, senior
defensive end Tovan Sheats and senior defensive
end Alphonso Beale anchor the trenches.

Morehouse a member of the SIAC conference
finished last season with a record of 8-2. One of
the Tigers losses was to Howard in a 30-27
thriller.

The Tigers, strong on defense, feature six SIAC
preseason selections. Senior linebacker Elijah
Anderson, a first team selection, led the Tigers last
year in tackles with 72. Junior Brandon Houston also
received 1st team honors. Senior defensive lineman
Scottie Williams and defensive back Justin Oliver
round out the Tiger defense.

David Carter, the returning SIAC player of the
year returns. Carter rushed for 1495 yards and 19
touchdowns.

The Tigers are inexperienced at quarterback with
Donnay Ragland expected to start.

Senior offensive lineman Jan-Michael Coke
anchors the offensive line. Coke is a first team SIAC
preseason selection.

Senior Thomas Williams received first team
honors as a kick and punt team returner.

Howard holds a 22-10-2 advantage in this series, started in 1923. Howard won that game 10-0.

“If we don’t make mistakes and execute we will have a chance to win some games,” said Howard's Harrell.

The kickoff is set for 3:30 pm.