Howard Bison football

History

;First FBS Victory On September 2, 2017, Howard football reached a milestone by defeating their first FBS opponent in program history. The Bison defeated the UNLV Rebels 43–40 in Sam Boyd Stadium. As of September 2017, Howard's victory against UNLV is the biggest point-spread upset in college football history, with UNLV being a 45.5 point favorite.

Classifications

• 1937–1972: NCAA College Division
• 1973–1977: NCAA Division II
• 1978–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS

Conference memberships

• 1893–1911: Independent
• 1912–1970: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
• 1971–present: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

Championships

National championships

Conference championships

See Note A

Bowl games

The Bison have appeared in four bowl games, with a current record of 1–3.

Division I-AA/FCS playoffs results

The Bison have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs one time with an overall record of 0–1.

College Football Hall of Fame members

• Willie Jeffries
• Doug Porter

Alumni in the NFL

Over 20 Howard alumni have played in the NFL, including:

• Ron Bartell
• Antoine Bethea
• Marques Douglas
• Omar Evans
• Derrick Faison
• Rupert Grant
• Gary Harrell
• John Javis
• Billy Jenkins
• Jimmie Johnson
• Troy Kyles
• Greg Pope
• Herman Redden
• Robert Sowell
• Leonard Stephens
• Elijah Thurmon
• Brandon Torrey
• Sean Vanhorse
• Jay Walker
• Tim Watson
• David Westbrook
• Jose White
• Tracy White
• Gary Willingham
• Marques Ogden
• Chris Rogers
• Steve Wilson
• Howie Williams

Rivals

Howard's top rival is Hampton University. The two schools call their intense rivalry Battle of "The Real HU".

Howard also has a strong rivalry with Morgan State University in the Howard–Morgan State football rivalry.

Another of Howard's historic rivals is Morehouse College, more popularly known as the Howard/"Spel-House" rivalry due to Morehouse's close association with the all-women's HBCU Spelman College. This rivalry is not often played because Morehouse is a Division II athletic program, while Howard is Division I.

Notes

:**A.**Howard went 9–1 and won the MEAC championship in 1987, however a later investigation by Howard University and MEAC found that coach Willie Jeffries used ineligible players. All wins from the 1987 season were vacated and the MEAC Championship was transferred to Delaware State, who had been the runner-up. :**B.**Rayford Petty was an assistant coach under Gary Harrell in 2011 and 2012. Gary Harrell stepped away from coaching Howard for the 2013 season for personal reasons, but remained under contract as the head coach to return in 2014. Rayford Petty was promoted to head coach for the 2013 season only, in a temporary role.

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of December 23, 2025

References

References

1. (August 2025)
2. Kirshner, Alex. (September 3, 2017). "Cam Newton's little brother just led the biggest Vegas upset in college football history". SB Nation.
3. Bromberg, Nick. (September 3, 2017). "Howard's win over UNLV is biggest upset vs. spread in college football history". Yahoo Sports.
4. "Howard Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
5. Webb, Brittany. (September 15, 2016). "Column: Historically, Who's the Real HU". [[The Hilltop (newspaper).
6. Wang, Gene. (September 17, 2015). "Howard and Hampton reprise the battle for the 'real HU'". [[The Washington Post]].
7. Freeman, Dennis. (September 22, 2016). "Howard-Hampton: the real 'HU' rivalry continues". News4usonline.
8. Clarke, Chad. (September 16, 2016). "HU VS HU: Nation's Classic To Highlight The Greatest HBCU Rivalry". The Hilltop.
9. Cuddihy, Madeline. (September 14, 2016). "Who is the real HU? 100 year old football rivalry kicks off". [[WUSA (TV).
10. Wilbon, Michael. (November 21, 1980). "Howard-Morgan State: The Game". The Washington Post.
11. Freeman, Rasheim. (October 2, 2005). "Rivalry And Revelry". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
12. . (September 25, 2011). ["Howard & Morgan Take Rivalry North to a Big Stage in the Big Apple"](http://afro.com/howard-morgan-take-rivalry-north-to-a-big-stage-in-the-big-apple/). *[[Baltimore Afro-American*.
13. Yates, Clinton. (September 12, 2014). "With rivalry renewed, Morehouse and Howard wrap up four-year series at RFK Stadium". The Washington Post.
14. Crockett Jr., Stephen. (September 13, 2014). "Howard vs. Morehouse: A Rivalry for the Ages". [[The Root (magazine).
15. Seymore Jr., Add. "Morehouse and Howard Renew Rivalry in the 2011 Nation's Football Classic in Washington, D.C.". [[Morehouse College]].
16. "Howard Bison, 1987 Schedule".
17. (September 26, 1989). "MEAC strips Howard of Division I-AA title". [[Sun-Sentinel]].
18. "Future Howard Bison Football Schedules". FBSchedules.com.