Football, family and The Real Howard University

WASHINGTON — Bragging rights are on the line at Audi Field on Saturday for the 100th meeting between the Howard Bison and Hampton Pirates in the Truth and Service Classic, better known as the Battle of the Real HU.

For two players on the Bison roster, the game is also about family legacy because their dads played at Howard too.

Redshirt freshman Rufus Ferguson and freshman Glen Vinson III always had The Mecca in their blood.

“Howard’s just always been home,” Glen III said.

“Coming to Howard as a little kid made me want to go to an HBCU,” Rufus explained.

Their dads brought them to campus as little kids.

“Let him walk on campus, let him eat chicken with my frat brothers, the Ques,” said Rhadi Ferguson. “He grew up at Howard.”

“I actually have memories of him being down here at Greene Stadium with me, watching the football team,” Glen Vinson Jr. explained. “Witting in the stands with his uncles who are my teammates who he calls uncles.”

So naturally, Rufus and Glen III grew up hearing who the real HU is.

“We’re Howard University. They’re Hampton Institute,” said Rufus.

Howard University Athletic Director Kery Davis coined the game between Howard University and Hampton University – the Truth and Service Classic, which is rooted in Howard’s motto, as well as Black Excellence.

“I stand on the shoulders of people who went to Howard,” explained Davis proudly.

Glen Jr. beamed as he said – “truth and service is everything about Howard University. It’s everything about being part of an HBCU.”

Hampton does have the edge in this rivalry with a 57-41-1 record, but head coach Larry Scott isn’t worried about that.

“You win the game, all those things are being taken care of,” he said.

Scott says he’s keeping his players focused.

“Our goal is to go 1-0 this week,” he explained, “to find ourselves sitting in a pretty good position at 3-1.”

To give these proud dads a win to brag about.

“You’re at Howard University so I know you know who the real HU is,” Glen Jr. said.

“Hampton University which was previously Hampton Institute has created this rivalry more than we have,” Rhadi said.

Kickoff is at Audi Field at 4 p.m.