Howard beats Bethune-Cookman 41-35 in MEAC opener
INDIANAPOLIS -- Josiah Crute ran for two touchdowns, Caylin Newton threw for two more scores and Howard held off Bethune-Cookman 41-35 on Saturday in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener.
Crute had 11 carries for 83 yards. Newton was 20-of-32 passing for 301 yards and threw one interception. Jequez Ezzard had eight receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown catch for Howard (1-2, 1-0), which had last week's home opener against Savannah State postponed due to Hurricane Florence.
Akevious Williams threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions for Bethune-Cookman (1-3, 0-1). Jimmie Robinson returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.
Crute ran for a 31-yard touchdown and Iggy Reynoso added a 5-yard TD run in the third quarter to break a 28-28 halftime tie.
In the fourth quarter, Devin James forced Reynoso to fumble the ball and Kennedy Ndukwe ran it back 37 yards to the Howard 10. Williams ran in for a score on the following play to pull BCU to 41-35 with 5:45 remaining. The Wildcats got the ball back with 1:08 to play and decent field possession, but Tye Freeland intercepted Williams to end the Circle City Classic.
Game Information
2023 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Howard | 4-1 | 6-6 |
| North Carolina Central | 4-1 | 9-3 |
| Morgan State | 3-2 | 4-6 |
| South Carolina State | 3-2 | 5-6 |
| Norfolk State | 1-4 | 3-8 |
| Delaware State | 0-5 | 1-10 |
2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Florida A&M | 8-0 | 12-1 |
| Alabama State | 5-3 | 7-4 |
| Jackson State | 5-3 | 7-4 |
| Alabama A&M | 3-5 | 5-6 |
| Bethune-Cookman | 2-6 | 3-8 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 1-7 | 1-10 |
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie View A&M | 6-2 | 6-6 |
| Alcorn State | 6-2 | 7-4 |
| Southern | 5-3 | 6-5 |
| Grambling | 4-4 | 5-6 |
| Texas Southern | 2-6 | 3-8 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 1-7 | 2-9 |
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