Football is the most watched sport in America and it is similarly cherished on Howard University’s campus. Students and alumni fill the stands to support the Bison, especially for iconic games like the Howard vs. Hampton University rivalry game and the annual Homecoming game.
In honor of this year’s Homecoming game on Oct. 17 against Morehouse College, here are the top Howard football Homecoming performances of the last 15 years. The criteria for this list depended on two things: Howard had to win the Homecoming game and the players’ stats within the game.
Morgan State University, 2017
In 2017, Howard beat Morgan 39-14, and then-freshman quarterback Caylin Newton stuffed the stat sheet. Newton completed nine out of 22 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 63 rushing yards on 14 carries, scoring two rushing touchdowns as well. Newton accounted for four out of six of the team’s touchdowns for this game.
Newton reminisced about the game against Morgan, saying that Howard had a lot of momentum coming into the game off of a win against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“It was a fun game to play in,” Newton said in an interview with The Hilltop. “The atmosphere was amazing, and if I could go back and play one more play just in that game, I’m smiling thinking about it.”
Brother of former NFL quarterback and MVP Cam Newton, Caylin Newton was at Howard for three years before transferring to Auburn in 2020. He then landed at The College of William & Mary in 2021 as a wide receiver to finish out his college tenure.
Newton is now retired from competitive football and does content creation where he reacts to various football clips and posts workout videos. His Instagram has attracted nearly 67,000 followers.
Morgan State University, 2025
The most recent game on the list comes from 2025, when Howard beat Morgan 33-27 in an overtime classic. Then-sophomore running back Anthony Reagan Jr.’s presence was felt throughout this game as he posted 122 yards on 17 carries. He accounted for two touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime for a 25-yard run.
Reagan transferred to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he has two touchdowns on 135 yards and 31 carries so far in the 2026 season.
Then-senior quarterback Tyriq Starks completed 20 out of 27 passes for 163 yards, throwing for one touchdown. He also rushed for 36 yards on 10 carries. He graduated from Howard in 2025.
Norfolk State University, 2023
The 2023 game against Norfolk is another overtime thriller and noteworthy performance. Quinton Williams was the standout contributor and Howard won the game 27-23.
He completed 14 out of 24 passes for 240 yards and scored two touchdowns passing. He also threw the game-winning touchdown pass, which sealed the game in overtime.
“[I was] a senior, going to my last Homecoming. I wanted to make it special for myself. I usually [wore] a special pair of cleats,” Williams said.
Williams said the Homecoming atmosphere creates an enjoyable experience for the athletes.
“I love Howard Homecoming,” Williams stated. “The atmosphere is electric…fans on their feet. The last drive [of the game] is just an electric feeling, and defensively being able to close the game out, it’s a fun time.”
Williams played all five years of his college tenure at Howard, graduating in 2023. He is currently the varsity quarterback offensive coordinator at his former high school, Dr. Henry A. Wise High School in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Morgan State University, 2013
Then-freshman Anthony Philyaw led Howard to beat Morgan 28-14 in 2013. The running back rushed for 98 yards on 24 carries, accounting for three out of the four touchdowns for Howard.
Then-junior quarterback Greg McGhee was also a major contributor, as he completed 11 out of 21 passes for 89 yards and rushed for 122 yards on 15 carries.
Philyaw and McGhee each played their entire college careers at Howard and graduated in 2017 and 2014, respectively.
McGhee now coaches at North Carolina A&T University. Philyaw’s current occupation could not immediately be verified.
Performances like the ones above are part of the Homecoming experience and will continue to be for many years to come.
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.
