Howard University Football: Charting the Course for Exciting Seasons Ahead
The roar of the crowd, the strategic plays on the gridiron, and the unwavering spirit of Bison Nation - these are the hallmarks of Howard University football. As the university consistently aims to elevate its athletics programs and provide exceptional experiences for its student-athletes, the football schedule itself becomes a narrative of ambition, tradition, and national presence. Focusing on upcoming seasons, the Howard University football schedule is meticulously crafted to showcase competitive excellence, foster historic rivalries, and offer unparalleled exposure on significant stages. This approach not only enriches the student-athlete experience but also amplifies the prestige of Howard University and the broader landscape of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) football.
Setting the Stage: The 2025 Season Unveiled
The 2025 Howard University football season promises an exhilarating journey, marked by high-profile matchups and a renewed push for conference supremacy. The Bison, under the guidance of sixth-year head coach Larry Scott, are determined to build upon past successes and rebound from previous seasons with a championship mindset. The schedule itself is a testament to this ambition, featuring a blend of traditional rivalries and marquee events designed to elevate the program's profile.
The season kicks off with a Labor Day Weekend clash against Florida A&M University in the historic Orange Blossom Classic on Saturday, August 30. This game carries significant historical weight, as the two teams first met in the inaugural Orange Blossom Classic in 1933 and have engaged in 40 contests over the past century. The Bison's return to the Orange Blossom Classic, for the first time since 1974, will take place at Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. This marks the beginning of a three-week stretch where the Bison will compete in NFL stadiums, underscoring the program's growing national visibility.
Following the Florida A&M encounter, the Bison travel to Philadelphia on September 6 to face Temple University at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the Philadelphia Eagles. This is followed by another significant game on September 13, when the Bison will participate in the HBCU NY Classic at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, facing Morehouse College. These early-season games in prominent venues are crucial for raising the profile of Howard University football and HBCU football as a whole. As Head Coach Larry Scott articulated, "We’re excited about the upcoming season and the opportunity for our student-athletes to be on big stages to demonstrate the competitive excellence that we know they’re capable of." He further emphasized the team's dedication, stating, "We’ve been diligently working during this offseason and will continue to do so this spring to ensure that our team is ready to make our alumni and fans proud. We’re determined to bring a championship mindset each week and bring a title home.”
The latter half of the 2025 schedule intensifies with fierce contests against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rivals. This includes matchups against Delaware State University and Norfolk State University, both of which are now led by first-year coaches with electrifying NFL careers: DeSean Jackson and Mike Vick, respectively. These games promise to be highly competitive, adding another layer of excitement to the conference slate. The highly anticipated Homecoming game is set for October 25, when the Bison will host MEAC foe Morgan State University at Greene Stadium. Homecoming at Howard is a cherished tradition, drawing alumni and fans from far and wide, and this matchup is sure to be a highlight of the season.
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The 2025 schedule is designed not only for athletic competition but also to reinforce Howard’s commitment to providing a high-quality experience for its student-athletes. Athletics Director Kery Davis noted that there is "a lot to look forward to - from away games in Miami and the New York metropolitan area, to a visit to Nashville where they will be the homecoming opponent for Tennessee State." This strategic scheduling demonstrates the university's dedication to showcasing its students' capabilities both on and off the field, aligning with Howard University's rich history of academic and leadership excellence. The Bison, who were back-to-back MEAC champions in 2022 and 2023 and participated in the 2023 Celebration Bowl, are dedicating significant time to offseason training, with the annual Spring Game on April 12 offering fans a glimpse of the team's potential.
A Glimpse into the 2026 Season: National Stages and Historic Rivalries
The narrative of Howard University football continues to unfold with the announcement of the 2026 schedule, which promises a compelling blend of nationally televised games, iconic venues, and deeply rooted rivalries, all culminating in a significant Homecoming celebration. This schedule is a clear indicator of the program's ambition to compete at the highest level while embracing its unique heritage.
The 2026 season commences with the Bison participating in the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge on August 29 in Atlanta, Georgia. This nationally televised matchup, airing live on ABC, will pit Howard against Alabama A&M University. This event serves as a prestigious showcase for two of the nation's premier HBCU conferences, setting an electrifying tone for a season focused on visibility, opportunity, and intense competition. The newly appointed Head Football Coach Ted White, a distinguished alumnus, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "This schedule reflects exactly what Howard football should represent - tradition, national exposure, and meaningful games that prepare our student-athletes to compete at the highest level." He further elaborated, "From the MEAC/SWAC Challenge to Homecoming and conference play, every week presents an opportunity to grow, compete, and represent the university with pride.”
Following the season opener, the Bison return to Washington, D.C., for their home opener on September 5 against the University of Richmond. The early nonconference road stretch includes significant matchups against Big Ten opponents: Indiana University on September 12 and Rutgers University on September 26. The game at Indiana University is particularly noteworthy, as it pits the Bison against the reigning college football national champions, providing an exceptional test of their competitive mettle. The contest at Rutgers University further solidifies Howard's expanding national footprint within a prominent collegiate athletic conference. Vice President and Director of Athletics Kery Davis highlighted the strategic balance of the schedule, noting, "Our football program continues to elevate its profile nationally while remaining firmly rooted in the traditions that define Howard University. This schedule balances elite competition, historic rivalries, and conference games that matter - all while creating memorable experiences for our student-athletes and fans.”
A signature moment of the season arrives on October 3 with the Truth and Service Classic, where the Bison will face Hampton University at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. This marks the annual "Battle for the Real HU," bringing a significant HBCU football rivalry to a premier professional sports venue. Howard's decisive 34-7 victory over Hampton last season, which snapped an eight-game skid, has renewed the momentum in this historic series, making this upcoming matchup highly anticipated.
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The road schedule continues with a trip to Philadelphia on October 10 to face the University of Pennsylvania at historic Franklin Field, a venue renowned for hosting the world-renowned Penn Relays. October matchups also include road contests against Morgan State University in Baltimore on October 24 and North Carolina Central University in Durham on October 31, further testing the Bison in diverse environments.
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