The Bison (0-3) are coming off a 51-24 rout by Florida A&M University at home last Saturday.  After spotting the Rattlers a 3-0 lead on the opening drive, Howard appeared to be in good shape on the ensuing possession when it drove nicely down to the FAMU 3-yard line.  But then disaster struck as the ball was snapped over the head of QB Floyd Haigler and the Rattlers' Joseph Wims returned the fumble 65 yards for a score. Presto, instead of it being a 7-3 or 3-3 game, it was 10-0 and the Bison never recovered as it went downhill from there.

The Tigers (2-2), who are off to one of their better starts in recent years under new head coach Robby Wells, had a two-game win streak, including a big road win over Winston-Salem State, before Bethune-Cookman University gave them a reality check during last week's 34-9 loss in which the Wildcats rushed for 412 yards and controlled the clock for almost 40 minutes.

A positive from the FAMU game could be that Howard was able to ring up 24 fourth quarter points.  It could serve as a springboard for this game.  Haigler, a red-shirt junior, who is starting for the first time in his career, has put up some impressive numbers (937 yards passing, 6 TDs) in the first three games, but he has also been plagued by mistakes.  He leads the MEAC in total offense and in passing yards and he ranks in the Top 10 nationally in three categories, but he also has 6 interceptions and a fumble.

That could play into the hands of Savannah State, which has relied heavily on the opponents' mistakes.  The Tigers rank Number 1 among the nation's leaders in recovered fumbles and high in takeaways, and they have yet to allow a passing TD.

"They are a different Savannah State team than what we have seen in the past," said Howard second year head coach Carey Bailey.  "Robby (Wells) has them playing sound football and they are not making the mistakes they made in the past.  We just have to do some things fundamentally well in order for us to be successful.  We have to cut down on our mistakes and we cannot allow the big play."

The Bison have been hurt by the "big play" all season.  In the opener against Georgetown, the defense played well throughout but a long pass play proved to be the difference in the 12-7 loss at home.

Then both the defense and the offense played inspired in the game at Hampton, but this time it was the special teams that gave up two long kick returns for TDs that proved to be the difference.  And against FAMU, there was the fumble return for a TD and an interception return of 67 yards that were huge factors.  Through three games, Howard has allowed six plays of 50 yards or more.

The Tigers have not overwhelmed their opponents on the offensive side, but their quarterback Kurvin Curry has been the catalyst with his running and passing.  A true freshman, Curry has passed for 611 yards and 5 TDs and he has run for almost 200 yards and two scores.

Justin Babb will also be the focus of the Bison defense.  He has proved to be effective as both a runner (192 yards) and a receiver (7 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TDs).

The Howard defense has shown improvement each week despite the team's winless record.  Senior middle linebacker Endor Cooper has shown that he is as advertised.  The 6-3, 245-pound hard-hitting senior from Woodbridge, VA, leads the MEAC in several statistical categories and is ranked nationally as well.  But he has gotten support from several young players including defensive linemen James Robinson and Sackie Kerkulah, linebackers Corey Berry, Patrick Jean-Mary, James Carter and Robert Parker, IV and defensive backs Arando Jamison and Martin Corniffe.  It is a group that is growing together under defensive coordinator Andre Creamer and should do well against Savannah State.

"There are times we have done some good things (on defense) and then there are times when we have not," assessed Coach Bailey.  "We have a bunch of new players and it is a matter of them coming together and being on the same page for four quarters."

Offensively, the Bison have been hurt by the lack of healthy running backs.  Ironically, what was arguably the deepest and talented position on the team entering the season, has become an area where the team has been forced to change its attack.  Rayvon Williams, who played well in the opener, has not played since and Terry Perry, last year's leading rusher has yet to play.  Karlos Whittaker, the team's leading rusher (74 yards) was not available last week because he had to sit out a game after being ejected from the Hampton game.  That forced Howard to employ an offense that features a shotgun formation, no back in the backfield and five receivers.

It has resulted in some dazzling numbers and career bests for some of the beneficiaries.  Arlandus Hood, a 6-2, 195-pound senior from Long Beach, CA, is having a career season.  He has caught 30 passes in three games for an average of 10 yards per catch.  He ranks among the nation's leaders.

Another player who has benefitted is Willie Carter, a 6-3, 190-pounf freshman from Denmark, SC, who has 23 catches and leads the team in TDs with three.  Carter caught 11 passes in the Hampton game, two off the school record of 13 held by Gary "Flea" Harrell in 1993.  Hood got even closer with 12 against FAMU.

Brandon Sherman is having a banner season as well.  The 5-10, 175-pound junior from Winston-Salem, NC has 13 receptions for 228 yards and a TD as is Ramon "Ray Ray" McElrathbey, who has also grabbed 13 and scored a TD.

This game has an added bonus for the Howard program.  There are 15 members of the team who hail from the Sunshine state, nine from the Miami Dade area.  One recruit, in particular, who could have a big game is Brandon Drayton, a diminutive, but speedy and elusive wide receiver/punt returner from Northwestern High School.  Drayton missed the first game, but he has made his presence felt in the last two and is averaging almost 14 yards per return.

"I think it is good thing in any athlete's career when he is able to come home and play before his family and friends," said Bailey. "I know that they will be excited."

Adds Bailey, "It is also a good opportunity for us to showcase Howard University in the Classic.  That is a talent rich area and we would like to continue to recruit there."