Howard University Football: From Celebration Bowl to 2024 Challenges

( Courtesy/ David Sierra – HU Bison Sports) 

The Howard University Bison football team entered the 2024 season with high expectations, fueled by the momentum of their historic 2023 campaign as MEAC champions and Celebration Bowl contenders.

As the defending Middle East Atlantic Conference (MEAC) champions, they not only claimed the conference title but also earned a spot in the Celebration Bowl, marking a milestone for the program. However, the journey this season is far from their previous year’s triumphs, as the Bison faced significant hurdles and finished with a 4-8 overall record.

The season presented a fair share of difficulties for the Bison. The team struggled to find consistency starting with a tough season opener loss against Rutgers (44-7). Their MEAC record of 1-3 landed them in fifth place in the conference, a sharp contrast to their championship run the year prior. 

Critical moments in the season included their first win against Morehouse College (35-21), a glimpse of promise amidst a string of tough losses. The Homecoming game against Tennessee State University was another highly anticipated matchup but ended in disappointment, with the Bison losing 27-14 in front of an energized crowd.

The defense, a key factor in last year’s success, proved to be a weakness this season, particularly in conference play. This contributed to a series of losses, including a recent 26-3 defeat against North Carolina Central, which extended their current losing streak to two games.

The Howard Bison concluded their season on Nov. 23, 2024, with a 35–21 loss to the Morgan State Bears. This game marked the end of their season campaign, providing an opportunity to reflect and prepare for the upcoming offseason.

Despite the setbacks of 2024, the Bison are already laying the groundwork for future success. 

“We’re taking every lesson from this season and using it to fuel our drive for next year,” said quarterback Sean Wray. “The challenges we faced only made us stronger, and I’m confident in the potential of this team. We have the talent, the determination, and now the experience to come back even better.”

Recruitment efforts are underway, with new talents like defensive end Xavier Newsom committed to the program. The coaching staff will likely focus on addressing the inconsistencies and defensive struggles that plagued the team this year. The 2024 season may not have lived up to the heights of the previous year, but it has underscored the resilience of the program. As Howard looks to regroup and rebuild, the lessons learned this season will serve as motivation for a stronger comeback in 2025.