In a low-scoring, hard-fought battle between two HBCU powerhouses, Howard University Bison emerged victorious over the Rattlers of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University— also known as Florida A&M or FAMU.
With a last-second 43-yard field goal from Bison sophomore kicker Matt Conord, Howard secured a dramatic 10-9 win in the 2025 Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium.
“Congratulations Bison,” social media user Kalema Elizabeth wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on a Howard post announcing the big win. “H-U! YOU KNOW.”
Conord, a sophomore transfer from Chowan University, had previously connected on just four of 11 attempts last season, with a career long of 31 yards. But under the bright Hard Rock lights and mounting pressure, he delivered the biggest kick of his career lifting the Bison (1-0) over their long-time rivals.
The game-winning drive, sparked by quarterback Tyriq Starks in his Howard debut, covered 49-yards in 10 plays. Starks finished the day with 175 total yards. He notched 145 in passing and 30 in rushing, completing 17-of-28 attempts with one touchdown, and one interception.
His second-quarterback scoring strike, a two-yard pass to freshman wide receiver CJ Neely, capped a strategic 10-play, 53-yard drive giving the Bison an early 7-0 lead.
Led by redshirt sophomore quarterback RJ Johnson III in his first collegiate start, FAMU (0-1) struggled to break through a stouting Bison defense. Johnson completed 17-of-32 passes for 183-yards but failed to find the end zone, as the Rattlers were held to three field goals by junior kicker Daniel Porto from 37, 33, and 18 yards out. Their final kick gave Florida A&M a scorching 9-7 lead with just 1:49 on the clock in the fourth quarter.
Howard’s defense were the true stars of the afternoon, limiting Florida A&M to 272 total yards and just 2.9 yards per carry. Linebackers Cam Dyson, Jay Jones II, Ja’Quavion Smith, and Zuri Watson anchored a unit that routinely disrupted the Rattlers’ offensive rhythm and applied immense pressure in the red zone.
Graduate running back Eden James, limited by injury, made a key impact in crunch time making two pivotal receptions on the final drive that helped set up Conord’s game-winner.
This game not only signified a Howard victory, but it celebrated the trailblazers within HBCU culture and football. Howard Bison and MEAC 2025 Hall of Fame Inductee Harvey Reed and Florida A&M Alum and former coach, now turned Florida International University Head Coach, Willie Simmons were the honorary captains of the game.
The win avenges Howard’s loss to Florida A&M in the 2023 Celebration Bowl and marks their first 1-0 season start since 2017, while also showing promise under new quarterback leadership, and defensive ready to contend.
“Year in and year out these young men are so resilient,” said Head Coach Larry Scott. I’m just so happy for them for just believing, attacking this thing after the year we had last year… We’r working as hard as we ever worked and you saw the result.”
Next, the Howard Bison will travel north to Philadelphia to face FBS opponent the Temple University Owls on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 2pm, while Florida A&M looks to bounce back that evening in a matchup against Florida Atlantic.
