The Howard Bison football team will kick off the 2022 season representing the MEAC in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Howard will face Alabama State in Atlanta next season, the challenge’s executive director John Grant announced in an interview with Black College Experience.
This will be the Bison’s first appearance in the annual FCS classic that showcases a team from each of the historically black colleges and universities athletic conferences. The series began in 2005, and the MEAC has a 10-4 edge over the SWAC.
Howard will be led by Larry Scott, who will be entering his first full season as head coach this season. Scott was hired in 2020. The South Florida alum most recently was the tight ends coach for the Florida Gators.
The MEAC cancelled the fall season due to the COVID-19 pandemic which would have been Scott’s first at Howard. The conference held a spring season this year in which Howard went 0-2 with both losses to Delaware State. However, the season was cancelled when all but three teams from the MEAC opted out of the spring season.
Alabama State will be making its third appearance in the challenge. The Hornets played in the inaugural game in 2005, losing to South Carolina State. They also lost in 2012 to Bethune-Cookman.
Grant also announced the 2023 matchup will be between South Carolina State and Jackson State. In 2024, Florida A&M will make its first appearance as a member of the SWAC as they face Norfolk State. Florida A&M, along with Bethune-Cookman, left the MEAC to join the SWAC in July.
