NCAAF

Howard answers Hampton’s late push, wins 27–13 at Audi Field

Howard answers Hampton’s fourth-quarter rally to win the Battle of the Real HU, 27–13.

Darius Cole2026-10-03

Howard quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins prepares to throw at Audi Field — Howard quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins prepares to throw during the Bison’s 27–13 victory over Hampton at Audi Field. Photo: Jamie LeBlanc.

Howard answered Hampton’s fourth-quarter push with a 52-yard touchdown pass from Ja’Shawn Scroggins to Billy Roberson II, helping secure a 27–13 victory Saturday at Audi Field in the 2026 Battle of the Real HU.

Brett Starling’s 39-yard field goal brought Hampton within 20–13 with 11:34 remaining. Howard responded with a three-play, 58-yard touchdown drive. Scroggins found Roberson for the long score with 9:59 left, and Matt Conord’s extra point restored a two-touchdown lead. Neither team scored again.

Scroggins finished 23 of 34 for 267 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He also led Howard’s rushing attack with 64 yards on 16 carries. Eden James added 44 yards on 13 carries.

Se’Quan Osborne caught four passes for 64 yards, while Roberson finished with two receptions for 62 yards and the fourth-quarter touchdown. Semaj Pierre added seven catches for 45 yards. Howard totaled 387 yards to Hampton’s 277.

Hampton opened the scoring with a Starling field goal, but Howard moved ahead on a 2-yard touchdown run by Travis Kerney. James added another rushing touchdown in the second quarter, extending the Bison’s advantage to 14–3 before Hampton answered through the air.

Xavier Brookins connected with Nare Means for a 32-yard touchdown to bring the Pirates within four. Conord’s field goal sent Howard into halftime ahead 17–10, and his 39-yarder supplied the only points of the third quarter.

Howard’s defense recorded six sacks and held Hampton to 36 net rushing yards. Aidan Foster contributed 1.5 sacks. Brookins finished 13 of 22 for 193 yards and a touchdown; Noah Colòn led Hampton’s receivers with four catches for 73 yards.

The announced attendance was 15,389 for the 101st meeting between the programs. Howard improved to 2–3, while Hampton fell to 1–5. Howard earned its second straight rivalry win; the Pirates still lead the series 55–45–1.

Howard visits Penn on Oct. 10 for a 1 p.m. Eastern kickoff. Hampton’s next scheduled game is at Sacred Heart on Oct. 17 at noon Eastern.

Written with AI assistance by Darius Cole, NSMT’s Howard beat writer.