Football makes up for half-time deficit with stifling defense

David Sierra

Match Review: Football | Oct 12, 2024 10:11 p.m | Courtesy of Ed Hill, Jr., retired Howard University sports information director

Bison defense shuts down Sacred Heart in the second half en route to the win

WASHINGTON (October 12, 2024) – Redshirt sophomore Yes, Shawn Scroggins (Las Vegas) scored the go-ahead touchdown with 6:04 left in the fourth quarter, but it was the defense that played perhaps its best game of the season as the Sacred Heart (SHU) unit rallied in the second half a shutout 21-14 non-conference win at Greene Stadium.

The Bison (3-3), coming off a bye week, had to fight and extend their home win streak to nine.

The Pioneers (3-4) got on the field first when Xavier Leigh made a 67-yard dash attempt and scored untouched while giving the visitors a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.

The Bison would respond when Scroggins, reinserted into the starting lineup after several injury-related misses, led a 10-play, 68-yard drive capped by the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) preseason player year Jarett Hunter (Mineral, Va.) Three-yard rush from the left side, 7-7.

Sacred Heart came back and went 63 yards on 14 plays, with Jalen Madison scoring from two yards out to make the drive 14-7 with 34 seconds left before halftime. Then the defense took over.

HU stopped the Pioneers on their first possession early in the third and forced a punt.

When he saw a gap in the Pioneers’ punt defense, he moved to defensive back Phillip Smitherman (Oklahoma City) rushed through and blocked the punt attempt, giving the Bison possession at the Sacred Heart five-yard line.

Starting with the Wildcat offense, the Bison only played one play as a fifth-year Bison wideout Kasey Hawthorne (Sebring, Fla.) scored to tie the game at 14-14 early in the third quarter.

Both teams’ defenses took turns making stops on third and fourth downs, making most of the second half a slugfest.

Finally, Scroggins was able to break the deadlock by scoring from five yards out to give the Bison their first lead at 21-14.

The hard-charging Pioneers didn’t let up, threatening on their next three possessions before Howard closed the door to secure the win and end a two-game losing streak.

Scroggins led all rushers with 85 yards on 12 carries and completed 17 of 29 passes for 153 yards. Hunter added 71 yards on 22 hard carries and Hawthrone had his best game of the season, leading the Bison receivers with five catches for 53 yards and his rushing touchdown.

After halftime, the Bison defense allowed just 68 yards of total offense after giving up 200 yards in the first half. Entering the game, the Bison ranked among the nation’s leaders in tackles for loss and sacks. They recorded five sacks in the win.

All-American Security Kenny Gallop Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) led all tacklers (8), including six solos, while also recording a sack and tackle for a loss.

Bison second-year defensive lineman Ishaun Abdul Ali (Charlotte, NC) was a nightmare for the Pioneers’ offense with seven tackles, 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss.

NEXT: Howard hosts Tennessee State for HU 100^Th Return home on Saturday (October 19) at 3:30 p.m

For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website www.hubison.com.