BROOKLYN- HBCU regular season football is here, and it starts off with the Alabama State Hornets and the Howard Bison.
The game will commence on August 27, at Center Parc stadium in Atlanta, GA, at 7pm est. But what team has the edge to begin the season with a 1-0 record?
Introducing The Howard Bison
Howard University has a lot to answer for after a 3-8 regular season record in 2021. Plus, they are looking to win their first season opener since 2017.
Behind center, Quinton Williams led HU to an offense that averaged 33.5 points per game the previous season.
The Bison are looking to attack through the air as they accumulated 2,496 passing yards, and nearly half of those yards came from wide receivers Antoine Murray and Kasey Hawthorne.
Howard relies on Jarret Hunter and Ian Wheeler to take control of the rushing game, as both running backs combined for 1,068 rushing yards.
Hunter was their leading rusher in 2021 with 625 rushing yards, and Wheeler rushed for 443 yards.
Howard’s issues came from the defensive end, as they allowed 29.8 points per game from opposing offenses.
If the Bison can start the season with a strong defensive game and the offense is able to go down the field, and score, then it’s possible that they can win this game.
But the main priority is on the defense side of the ball. The Bison have to make Hornets’ quarterback Ryan Nettles uncomfortable in the pocket in order to succeed.
Introducing the Alabama State Hornets
Alabama State are also looking to make a comeback after a 5-6 season in 2021.
Ryan Nettles is ASU’s starting quarterback, as he passed for 1,183 yards and rushed for 104 yards.
Wide Receivers Jeremiah Hixon, Keron Jones, and Wallace Corker are Nettles’ main targets.
All three players had over 30 receptions and combined for 1,276 yards. Hixon had 563 yards, Jones had 388 yards, and Corker had 325 yards.
Running back Jacory Merritt was the Hornets leading rusher with 433 yards, followed by Ezra Gray’s 401 rushing yards.
ASU’s defense, although slightly better than Howard’s defense, still struggles as they allowed opposing offenses to score 28.2 points per game.
However, for the Hornets to win this game, Nettles will need to have a big game. He has to try to take care of the ball and not turn it over.
In the previous season, he threw 10 for touchdowns and seven interceptions. A three touchdown game with no interceptions will be just enough to get ASU over the hump.
Combine that with some good defensive play from the Hornets, and they’ll win the game.
Final Prediction
Howard will open the game with an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter but will struggle to score in the second.
ASU will respond with a second quarter touchdown and will enter halftime down 14-7.
After halftime, Ryan Nettles will bring the Hornets into field goal range, and their deficit will be cut to four points.
However, Howard will respond with a field goal of their own to regain a seven point lead.
The Bison will hold off the Hornets to win the game. Quinton Williams will throw for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
Nettles will throw for 176 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Final score: 17-10 Bison
