When Howard University and Hampton University got together Saturday for the Truth and Service Classic, it marked the 100th time that the two rivals have met on the gridiron.
The game was played at Audi Field before a crowd of 16,813. While guests are never sure who will come out victorious, one thing is for certain: The game will always be an intense affair between the two historically Black universities in their battle for who is “the real HU.”
“I have been a part of this program for the past three years,” noted Hampton interim head coach Trent Boykin. “We just played our big rival, Norfolk State last week and Virginia Union earlier. But there is something unique and special about this Real HU game. Our fans, alumni and the team get especially excited about this game. You can feel the energy in practice.”
The rivalry started back in 1908 and has featured several memorable games. It started when they both became members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). When Howard went to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the rivalry continued to grow. Hampton, formerly Hampton Institute, is now a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), while Howard is still a member of the MEAC. Despite the change of affiliations over the years, the fight for bragging rights has continued.
The Hampton Pirates came into the game with a 56-42-1 advantage. The last two meetings were thrillers with Hampton prevailing by a combined total of four points.
This year, Hampton (3-1 overall, 0-0 in the CAA) came out early and dominated, jumping out to a 14-0 lead through the first two quarters, using its vaunted running attack and its stout defense to control the game.
Howard (2-2 overall, 0-0 in the MEAC) found a spark that led to a 95-yard drive just before halftime to cut the deficit in half at 14-7. The drive featured a spectacular play from wide receiver senior Richie Ilarraza, following a reverse as he found teammate, senior Kasey Hawthorne from 24 yards.
Using the score for momentum, Howard finally was sparked by the running of junior running back Eden James who capped off the drive with a 16-yard jaunt to tie the game at 14 with 3:04 left in the third quarter.
Hampton, however, would respond less than three minutes later when junior red-shirt reserve running back Ja’Quan Snipes bolted 53 yards and raced untouched to help his team regain the lead at 21-14, with just 14 ticks before the end of the third quarter.,
Then, the Bison drove smartly down the field, using 12 plays to cover 76 yards, setting up a fourth and goal from the Hampton one-yard line. Graduate running back Jarett Hunter, normally a sure-handed runner, fumbled in an attempt to cross the goal line, giving the Pirates the ball at their own three-yard line. In an all-too-familiar script in this rivalry, the Pirates would turn the mistake into an 87-yard drive that ended with Snipes scoring his second touchdown, this time from five yards.
What would have been a morale boosting touchdown for Howard quickly turned into a momentum changer for the Pirates.
Hampton missed the point after touchdown, but led 27-14 with 8:34 on the clock in the fourth quarter.
The resilient Bison would respond, this time taking 12 plays to go 73 yards with senior quarterback Jaylen Tolbert scoring untouched from two yards out with 4:12 still remaining. The Bison attempted the two-point conversion, missed and trailed 27-20.
Hampton then turned to its running game and picked up two key first downs to run out the clock and secure its eighth straight win over the Bison in the heated series.
In assessing Howard coming up short, Head Coach Larry Scott said: “This team’s never-say-die attitude comes from the belief that they are never out of a game, no matter the circumstances, we are never out of any game. We play to the last whistle is blown.”
Ilarazza had his best all-around effort in a losing performance. He caught four passes for 58 yards, returned two punts and threw his first-ever touchdown pass.
“I felt good about the [touchdown] pass,” said Ilarazza, who has caught over 100 passes in his career. “But we as a team came up short against them again. I’m not sure but there is something different about this game. But teams put a lot into this game. You want so badly to win.”
James, son of former NFL great, running back Edgerrin James. had his best game of the season, leading all rushers with 107 yards on 14 carries. Hunter chipped in with 65 on 14 carries. Tolbert, in only the third start of his career, was 18 of 26 passing for 201 yards.
All American safety Kenny Gallop, Jr. had yet another one of his signature games, with 10 solo tackles and a fumble recovery. Junior defensive tackle Noah Miles continues to be a factor as he finished with five tackles, all solos, and a forced fumble.
Hampton was led by Snipes (10 carries, 107 yards, two touchdowns) and senior Elijah Burris (16 carries, 78 yards). Defensively, Hampton was led by graduate Xavier Marshall (eights tackles and a forced fumble
For Howard, the setback would serve as a positive takeaway.
“As a team, we realized that we left some plays on the field,” said Scott at his weekly press conference. “We missed some things, open receivers and the defense out of position. The team held a meeting after the game, acknowledged their mistakes and will work hard this week on getting them corrected.”
Following the game, an unidentified Hampton alum in her 60s picked out a Howard supporter as they were walking out the stadium and hitting him with the dig, “We really kicked Howard’s butt today.”
The man wearing his Howard gear, appeared taken aback, before mustering a response.
“It was not that bad. It was only seven points,” he said before adding a parting comment. “We’ll see y’all again next year.”
The rivalry continues.
Battle for the real HU? That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard and is beneath any real journalist.
Excellent story. Great rivalry but respectable institutions.