title image via Tennessee State football
27
Winner TSU
14
HOW
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSU | 7 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 27 |
| HOW | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
It was Howard’s 100th homecoming and their opponent was no tomato can, but rather a tough and ascending Tennessee cryptot State football team.
Unfortunately for the Howard faithful, there was no joy in Mudville as the mighty Casey struck out, as Tennessee State defeated Howard 27-14.
In our preview of the game, we highlighted the strength of the Howard run game and that its proficiency would present a problem for the Tennessee State defense. Those words proved prophetic, particularly in the second and third quarters where the Bison did the lion’s share of their damage on the ground, racking up 165 of Howard’s 185 yards in those two periods alone. That same preview also indicated that Howard falling behind by multiple scores could increase the workload for the Bison pass game and could have a deleterious effect on Howard’s comeback aspirations as it would place Ja’Shawn Scroggins and the unit in uncomfortable positions, playing right into TSU’s hands. Scroggins completed just 5 of his 19 pass attempts for 28 yards and a pair of interceptions.
Tennessee State drew first blood, completing an 11-play, 60-yard drive on quarterback Draylen Ellis’ 27-yard touchdown scamper that put TSU up 7-0 with just 0:54 left in the first quarter.
TSU’s next score was set up by the defense. Jalen McClendon intercepted a Scroggins pass, handing the Tigers offense an excellent field position at the Howard 27-yard line. The drive would stall however a 40-yard field goal off the foot of James Lowery extended the Tennessee State lead to 10-0 with 7:57 left in the first half.
The Tennessee State defense intercepted Scroggins on Howard’s next possession, this time Tyler Jones doing the honors, handing the ball to the offense at the Howard 32-yard line.
Once again the Howard defense was up to the challenge, keeping the Tigers out of the endzone, leaving once again having to settle for three points via a 39-yard Lowery field goal to push the advantage to 13-0.
Howard responded on their next possession, traveling 75 yards on 7 plays that were all run plays, ending with a 2-yard run from Eden James that put Howard on the board at 13-7.
Jaden McGill’s 4-yard touchdown run capped off a 9-play, 81-yard drive that pushed the lead back to thirteen points at 20-7. The Bison answered in their next drive when Jarett Hunter, who finished with 102 yards on 15 carries, scampered in from 9 yards out to bring the Bison within a single possession at 20-14.
With the game’s momentum potentially in question, CJ Evans emphatically swung the pendulum back toward Tennessee State when he took the subsequent kickoff 99 yards to the house bringing the score to what would be its final count, 27-14.
Draylen Ellis turned in another solid performance, completing 18-of-his 29 passes for 278 yards, while rushing for 28 yards and a touchdown on 8 carries. Wide receiver Karate Brenson hauled in 5 passes for 153 yards, for his second consecutive 100-yard receiving game.
The win, which was their fourth in a row, lifts Tennessee State to 6-2 overall and they remain 3-1 within in the Big South-OVC. TSU has a bye-week before a November 2 meeting with conference opponent UT Martin. In their most recent meeting, September 30, 2023, The Skyhawks doubled up the Tigers 20-10.
The Bison of Howard(3-4, 0-0) dives into MEAC play when they hit the road to take on Norfolk State.
