This Saturday Howard and Tennessee State will lock horns in one of the most anticipated matchups in all HBCU football this season. It’s homecoming at The Mecca and Tennessee State will deadest on putting a damper on the weekend’s festivities. The two universities haven’met since Tennessee State put a 45-0 beatdown on the Bison September 22, 2001.
Tennessee State
Coach Eddie George’s Tennessee State Tigers enter this matchup on a three-game winning streak. Their last win was a convincing 41-17 win over conference opponents Eastern Illinois. Tennessee State quarterback Draylen Ellis completed 20-of-32 passes for 224 yards and a season-high 4 touchdown passes. On the season Ellis ranks third in the Big South-OVC in passing yards with 1,483, second in touchdown passes (13), and second in efficiency (134.7). Receiver Karate Brenson recorded his best statistical game as a Tiger with 121 receiving yards and a touchdown on 6 receptions. In what is becoming a breakout season for the redshirt junior, his 28 receptions through 7 games have equaled or excelled his production for the entirety of each of his first two seasons. His 431 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns are already career-highs.
Howard University
Howard enters their homecoming matchup at 3-3. In their most recent matchup, the Bison defeated Sacred Heart 21-14. After giving up 14 points in the first half, the Howard defense turned up the wick in the second half, shutting the Pioneers out in the second half. Kasey Hawthorne’s 5-yard touchdown run tied the game at 14 in the third quarter. Howard had their first lead of the game, and for good, at the 6:07 mark of the fourth quarter when quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins ran in from 5 yards out to give Howard a 21-14 lead that would hold for the rest of the contest. Scroggins led Howard with 85 rushing yards and a touchdown, while also completing 17 of 29 passes for 153 yards and an interception.
What we think will happen
Tennessee State will look to establish their run game to set up the pass. Winning the battle up front will open lanes for CJ Evans, Jaden McGill, Jordan Gant, Jalen Rouse, and by extension, Draylen Ellis and the Tiger passing game.
However, Ellis and the offense will have to be mindful of where Kenny Gallop Jr is at all times. Gallop Jr is a menace in the secondary but is by no means adverse to coming up front and making plays in the box and behind the line of scrimmage.
The Bison running back room led by Jarrett Hunter and Eden James will present a major obstacle for the TSU defense. They will also account for Scroggins, who is the team’s second-leading rusher with 273 yards and a touchdown on 38 attempts. Tennessee State has been solid against the run, surrendering a 5th-best in the Big South-OVC 149.0 yards per contest, holding three opponents under 75 yards on the ground.
Tennessee State possesses the second stingiest pass defense in the Big South-OVC, allowing 189.1 yards per game. Although this is more than the 175.3 yards per game the HU pass attack generates, the Bison only have two games of over 200 yards passing, 267 against Morehouse and 225 against Hampton, and 4 other games of 153 yards or less in the air.
Howard gets off to a slow start and falls behind by multiple scores, the Bison will find themselves hard-pressed to dig themselves out of that hole.
The 100th edition of Homecoming at The Mecca will end in disappointment and defeat.
Final Score Howard: 17 Tennessee State: 33
