This year’s homecoming game, a naturally pivotal point in any season, might be more historic than all years past. The Bison will face the Tennessee State University (TSU) Tigers for the school’s 100th homecoming.
This year’s opponent is unfamiliar to the Bison, who have only met the Tigers once in history, a game they lost 45-0 in favor of the Tigers in 2001.
This highly anticipated game has students looking forward to the matchup on Oct. 19.
Christian Townsell, a sophomore marketing major from Sayreville, New Jersey, told The Hilltop, “[I am] counting on the football team to come through for homecoming, especially since it’s our 100th homecoming.”
Aside from what happens on the gridiron, a prominent aspect of game day is the showmanship of the bands, and TSU has a Grammy Award-winning marching band — but they will not be making the trip.
In a statement to the TSU community on Instagram, the university cited “specific restrictions” from HU for their band that would only allow them to perform after the game.
Despite the absence of TSU’s “Aristocrat of Bands”, Nia Peake, a sophomore software marketing major from Howard County, believes the Bison band will not disappoint.
“They will show out,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Dyami Sanders, a political science major from New York, is confident the Bison will get the job done.
“Truthfully, if I’m paying attention to history in recent years in terms of home homecoming games, we always come through. We always take the ‘W.’”
Spearheading a new regime of coaching and a standard of dominance within HBCU football behind two back-to-back MEAC championship titles, Head Coach Larry Scott aims to continue establishing the university’s winning culture.
Early Season
The Bison have been led on offense by veteran running-back tandem Jarett Hunter and Eden James, who have combined for nearly 600 yards on the ground and five touchdowns through five games.
With the uncertainty at the quarterback position between first-year starter Ja’Shawn Scroggins, missing time with injury, and Jaylon Tolbert stepping in to lead the team for an indefinite amount of games, the Bison will likely lean on the comfort that comes with the veteran presence at running back.
The Tigers, however, will roll into homecoming with their battle-tested graduate quarterback Draylen Ellis, who surpassed the 1,000-yard mark through five games.
Ellis spearheads a balanced attack that has seen four rushers eclipse 100 yards, rushing through five games.
A big key for the Bison defense will be the ability to contain the dynamic rushing attack of the Tigers. The defense has been porous thus far in the running game, allowing over 1,000 yards gained on the ground through just five games.
The secondary has had to step up and be the leading tackler, namely preseason All-Conference safety Kenny Gallop Jr.
Backs consistently getting past the first and second levels has put the Bison in vulnerable situations this season, and the Tigers will likely look to exploit that.
On the offensive side of the ball, the running game has been steady and reliable. Accounting for that, the key to the Bison’s offensive success will be in the receivers’ ability to create separation, and the quarterback, whoever that may be, to be able to deliver the football on time.
A stout offensive line has protected the quarterback efficiently thus far, allowing only nine sacks, and created holes for the star running back tandem. The Bison can potentially lean on that line early in the game so they are not forced into difficult passing situations, and the Tigers won’t be inclined to test their run defense and eat clock.
Key Players
The key players for the Bison heading into the matchup are leading tackler Kenny Gallop Jr., pass rusher Noah Miles Jr. and running back Eden James.
With effective pass-rushing, Miles Jr. can allow Gallop Jr. and the defensive backs to drop back and focus on pass defense rather than run support.
James, who led the rushing attack with strong performances versus Hampton and Princeton, will be relied on to set the tone and open the playbook for the Bison early in the game.
Franklin Rivers, TSU alumnus and current coach at Howard, told The Hilltop what fans can expect come homecoming.
“The energy is going to be unreal. And believe me when I say the Tigers will be traveling, so Howard will have to bring the energy,” he said.
Rivers believes that the Tigers can offer a higher level of play than the Bison are used to facing.
“TSU is tough, just always have been. Howard has been doing really well these past couple of years, but where TSU is right now might be too much to overcome,” he said.
Copy edited by Jalyn Lovelady
