[Washington, D.C.] – Spring may be a little over a week away, but the focus of Howard University’s football team is set on the fall as the team has released its 2025 schedule. The slate of games, which includes a Labor Day Weekend clash with Florida A&M University, the battle for “the real HU” against Hampton University, and the second of a two-game series with Tennessee State University, looks to make for an exciting season for the Bison, who hope to rebound from last season’s 4-8 finish.

The Bison will open the 2025 season against Florida A&M in the Orange Blossom Classic on Saturday, August 30. The two teams played in the inaugural Orange Blossom Classic in 1933; and have faced off 40 times over the last century in regular and postseason play. Marking the Bison’s first time back in the Orange Blossom Classic since 1974, the game will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. The game is also the first of the three consecutive weeks when the Bison play in NFL stadiums. On September 6, the Bison will travel to Philadelphia to play Temple University at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles) and on September 13, Howard will take on Morehouse College in the HBCU NY Classic at MetLife Stadium (New York Jets and New York Giants).

Participating in high-profile games like the Orange Blossom and HBCU NY Classics; or facing programs like Temple University on their home field, do a lot to elevate the profile of Howard University football, as well as that of HBCU football overall, said Bison Head Coach Larry Scott. 

“We’re excited about the upcoming season and the opportunity for our student-athletes to be on big stages to demonstrate the competitive excellence that we know they’re capable of,” Scott said. “We’ve been diligently working during this offseason and will continue to do so this spring to ensure that our team is ready to make our alumni and fans proud. We’re determined to bring a championship mindset each week and bring a title home.”

The second half of the 2025 schedule features fierce contests against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rivals, including Delaware State University and Norfolk State University, both now led by first-year coaches who had electrifying NFL careers — DeSean Jackson and Mike Vick, respectively. In addition, the highly anticipated Homecoming game will take place against MEAC foe Morgan State University on October 25.

The Bison, who were back-to-back MEAC champions in 2022 and 2023 and participated in the 2023 Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, have been dedicating a lot of time to offseason training. In addition, the annual Spring Game, taking place at Greene Stadium on Saturday, April 12, will offer Bison fans a sneak peek at what’s to come. According to Athletics Director Kery Davis, there’s a lot to look forward to — from aways games in Miami and the New York metropolitan area, to a visit to Nashville where they will be the homecoming opponent for Tennessee State. The schedule will help reinforce Howard’s commitment to providing a high-quality experience for student-athletes while showing the public that Howard University students are capable of excelling both in and outside of the classroom.

“For the last several years, Howard University has seen a renaissance within our athletics programs, with our student athletes winning championships in multiple sports,” Davis said. “Of course, we’re proud of Howard University’s rich and highly respected history of academic and leadership excellence. But we also have a phenomenal athletics program with incredibly talented student-athletes and this schedule will allow people in different regions to see the caliber of student-athletes we have and hopefully inspire students to consider coming to Howard where they can get a great education and compete in high-quality NCAA competition.”

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2025 Howard University Football Schedule:

• Aug. 30 – Florida A&M University – Orange Blossom Classic (Miami Gardens, Fla.)
• Sept. 6 – @ Temple University (Philadelphia, Pa.)
• Sept. 13 – Morehouse College -- HBCU NY Classic (East Rutherford, NJ)
• Sept. 20 – Hampton University (Washington, D.C.)
• Sept. 27 – @ University of Richmond (Richmond, Va.)
• Oct. 4 – Bye
• Oct. 11– @ Sacred Heart University (Fairfield, Conn.)
• Oct. 18 – @ Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tenn.)
• Oct. 25 – Morgan State University – Greene Stadium *** Homecoming ***
• Nov. 1 – North Carolina Central University -- Greene Stadium
• Nov. 8 – @ South Carolina State University (Orangeburg, S.C.)
• Nov. 15 – @ Delaware State University (Dover, Del.)
• Nov. 22 – Norfolk State University – Greene Stadium