Traditionally, Howard University homecoming, which marked its centennial celebration this year, features a week of activities – from a fashion show to concerts, a step show, the iconic Yardfest, Bison Madness and a football game – and the 2024 weeklong commemoration was no different.
Beginning in 1924 with a game against Lincoln University, Howard’s homecoming has since set trends, launched careers, and sparked national notoriety, and this year’s matchup against Tennessee State University on Oct. 19 continued the long legacy of meeting up for more than football.
In its 100th year, and with the theme “Yard of Fame,” this year’s homecoming and football game celebrated the trails blazed and paths continuing to be created at the historically Black institution, often referred to as the “Mecca.”
With the Howard Bison coming off a season where they competed in the Celebration Bowl for the Black National Championship, there was added interest for fans.
In addition, fans were intrigued as Tennessee State University is coached by former NFL standout running back and Heisman Trophy Winner Eddie George. The game also featured the Tennessee State coach’s son, Eriq George, and Howard junior running back Eden James, who is the son of former NFL Hall of Famer Edgerrin James.
Tennessee State (6-2 overall, 3-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference) came into Saturday’s series having won three games in a row and ranked in the top five teams in the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) poll.
In the end, the Tennessee State Tigers made just enough plays–including the biggest of the game — to come away with a 27-14 win in front of an overflow crowd of nearly 10,000 at William H. Greene Stadium.
A Brief Play-by-Play of an Exciting Howard Homecoming Matchup
Howard University (3-4 overall, 0-0 in the MEAC) fell behind early and rallied twice to get within one score. However, a kick return for a touchdown proved to be a momentum changer and the difference in the matchup between the Bison and Tigers.
Tennessee State appeared to take control early when Karate Benson connected with Drayden Ellis for 83 yards on the opening play. But the Bison defense toughened and forced a field goal try that went wide right.
The Howard offense had trouble getting anything for most of the early part of the game, but the defense stood tall and kept things close. Tennessee State finally got on the board, covering 60 yards on 11 plays, with Ellis scoring on a keeper from 27 yards and only 54 seconds left in the first quarter.
Unable to move the ball, Howard helped Tennessee State when redshirt sophomore quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins threw the first of two interceptions. Again, the Howard defense held the Tigers to three yards and forced them to settle for a James Lowery 30-yard field goal at the 7:57 mark of the second period.
Scroggins (6-of-21 for 33 yards), starting in only his third game of the season due to an injury, turned it over again with his second pick, this time giving Tennessee State good field position at the Howard 25-yard line. But again, the stout Bison defense limited the Tigers to three yards and forced another Lowery field goal, this time from 39 yards to make it 13-0 with just under seven minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Howard finally got on track and put together a seven-play, 77-yard drive that was capped off by James with a two-yard touchdown run. It gave Howard some much-needed momentum coming out of the half, trailing 13-7.
But the offense continued to stall and Tennessee State capitalized on their ineptitude, embarking on a nine-play, 81-yard drive with Tiger graduate quarterback Jaden McGill punching it in from four yards to it a two-possession game, at 20-7, with under seven minutes left in the third quarter.
Howard was able to counter by putting together a nice drive of 54 yards on six plays. Senior Jarett Hunter spearheaded the important drive by accounting for 35 yards, finishing it off with a winding, twisting 9-yard touchdown to close the gap, 20-14, with 1:28 remaining in the third quarter.
Then came the play of the game. Tennessee State junior CJ Evans fielded the ensuing kickoff at his own one-yard line. He started right, cut back to the middle of the field and outraced Howard players for 99 yards and the backbreaking score.
From there, the Tigers — who came into the game as one of the top sack teams in the country, along with the Bison — forced back-to-back sacks on Scroggins and proceeded to run out the clock to secure their fourth straight win.
Bison Reflect on Importance of the Game: ‘This is All Bigger Than Football‘
Howard All-American safety Kenny Gallop, Jr., who played in his last homecoming in a Bison uniform, reflected on the experience.
“This was my fourth homecoming and my last at Howard,” said Gallop, Jr., a Health Science major. “We obviously hoped for a better outcome, but there are a lot of positives coming out of this for me. The coaching staff prepared us for this game… When you realize that you are a part of a sold-out game against another HBCU opponent, it is something that will last with you forever. This is what you come to Howard and play for.”
Gallop is the reigning 2023 MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Player of the Year and 2024 preseason pick for player of the year. He is regarded as one of the top defensive players in the nation and expected to be playing at the next level. He led the Howard defense against Tennessee State with six total tackles and a sack.
Hunter– the 2024 MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and one of the most productive Howard players in recent history, credited with over 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns– explained that he is able to balance the preparation for the game with living in the moment.
“I have learned from experience to not allow myself to be too high or too low,” said Hunter, a Sports Management major, who led the Bison on offense with 102 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. “You always want to go out on top and to show out for the alums and Howard supporters; but at the same time, this is all bigger than football. To have the Tennessee State fans come out along with our fans and alums in friendly competition between two HBCUs creates a special bond.”