Howard Football Returns Home Saturday
Bison look to get back on track versus Sacred Heart
 
WASHINGTON (October 11, 2024) – Howard University Football team returns home Saturday (Oct. 12), facing Sacred Heart (SHU) in a nonconference showdown at Greene Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
 
GAME INFO
 
GAME 6
Sacred Heart (Pioneers) vs. Howard University (Bison)
Saturday, October 12, 2024
1 p.m.
William H. Green Memorial Stadium (7,500)
Washington, D.C.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
Howard (2-3) comes into the game coming off a 27-20 loss to Princeton Saturday (Sept. 28).
 
Sacred Heart (3-3), an Independent, defeated Norfolk State, 10-3, Saturday (Oct. 5) at home.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
WATCH: ESPN+
LISTEN: WHBC | Trevin A. Jones (Play-by-Play), Nathaniel Henry (Color Analyst) & Sareyah Rudd (Sideline Reporter)
IN-GAME: LIVE STATS
 
THE SERIES
 
This is the second meeting between the two schools. Howard scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to defeat the Pioneers, 22-17, in October 2021.
 
THE COACHES
 
Sacred Heart is coached Mark Nofri (Keene State, 1993), who is in his 13^th season. Howard is coached by Larry Scott (South Florida, 2000), who is in his fifth season.
 
WHAT THE COACHES ARE SAYING
 
SACRED HEART COACH MARK NOFRI
 
"My concerns with Howard are that they are very good at the defensive line position. They are active and have good man-to-man skill players in the secondary. Offensively, they are big up front and do a great job running the ball."
 
On Kenny Gallop, Jr.
 
"He is a great player! He is very active and physical. I can see why he is an All-American. As an offense, we have to account for him on every offensive play."
 
HOWARD UNIVERSITY LARRY SCOTT
 
"Our focus is on Howard, playing HU brand football, making sure we execute at a high level with a focus on eliminating penalties and mistakes.
 
On the value of the bye week
 
"Academics, rest and getting healed up. We focused on third down and red zone situational football. Group and teamwork in addition to quality control."
 
KEY PLAYERS
 
SCOUTING THE BISON
 
On offense, the Bison will rely on their comparable two-headed offensive attack of redshirt sophomore Ja'Shawn Scroggins (25 carries for 189 yards; 26-of-47 for 273 yards & 1 TD) and redshirt senior Jaylon Tolbert (58-of-96 for 602 yards, 4 TDs & 2 INTs).
 
The run game is led by the duo of graduate MEAC Offensive Preseason Player of the Year Jarett Hunter (81 carries for 378 yards & 3 TDs; 10 receptions for 51 yards) and his backfield mate junior Eden James (49 carries for 230 yards & 2 TDs; 10 receptions for 97 yards).
 
The passing game will be bolstered by senior wide receivers Isiah Williams (17 catches for 204 yards & a TD) and Kasey Hawthorne (15 receptions for 181 yards & a TD).
 
The offensive line is anchored by senior all conference guard Darius Fox (Washington).
 
Defensively, All-American Kenny Gallop Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) leads the team in tackles (50 total tackles, 2.5 TFLs, a sack & a FR).
 
Gallop has plenty of help in senior linebacker Terrance Hollon (26 total tackles, 0.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, 2 FFs & a FR), senior defensive back Xavier Robiou (21 total tackles & a PB) and Robert Jones III (17 total tackles, team-leading 4 PBs & a FR).
 
Up front, the trio of junior Noah Miles (20 total tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 6.0 sacks & a FF), sophomore Ishaun Abdul-Ali (14 total tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, a FF & a FR) and senior Jamel Stewart (15 total tackles, 3.0 TFLs & 1.5 sacks).
 
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
 
The offense is led by sophomore quarterback John Michalski (78-of-165 for 679 yards & 3 TDs).
 
The run game is powered by the running of graduate running back Jalen Madison (86 carries for 459 yards & 2 TDs) and senior Xavier Lehigh (65 carries for 365 yards & 3 TDs).
 
The receiving targets are led by senior wide receivers Ethan Hilliman (25 receptions for 212 yards & 2 TDs) and Kevin McGuire (10 receptions for 136 yards) and graduate Mason Stahl (10 catches for 97 yards).
 
Defensively, Sacred Heart is led by junior linebacker Nick Verbitsky (33 total tackles, 0.5 TFLs & 0.5 sacks) sophomore linebacker Nate Chandler (28 total tackles, 5.5 TFLs & 4.5 sacks), graduate linebacker Myles Talley (30 total tackles, an INT & a FR) and graduate defensive lineman Tyreke Brown (20 total tackles, 5.5 TFLs & 3.5 sacks).
 
STATISTICAL RANKINGS
 
NATIONAL STATS
 
Individually, Miles is tied for fourth in sacks and tied for ninth in tackles for losses...Gallop is third in solo tackles tied for sixth in total tackles.
 
MEAC STATS
 
As a team, Howard ranks first in sacks and in least sacks allowed (9).
 
Individually, Hunter is third in rushing, fourth in all-purpose running and eighth in total offense…James is seventh in rushing, eighth in all-purpose running and 12^th total offense...Anthony Reagan Jr. is third in kick returns…Williams and Hawthorne are 11^th and 12^th, respectively, in receiving.
 
Defensively, Gallop leads the conference in tackles and fumble recoveries...Hollon is sixth in tackles and first in forced fumbles...Miles is first in tackles for losses and sacks and fourth in fumble recoveries...Abdul-Ali is fifth in fumble recoveries and sixth in in both sacks and tackles for losses...Stewart is seventh fumble recoveries and 11^th in sacks...Jones is second in fumble recoveries and sixth in pass breakups.
 
SACRED HEART NOTES
 
The trio of Madison, Lehigh and Michalski have accounted for almost 1,000 yards rushing and eight TDs...Chandler and Brown have combined for 11.0 tackles for losses and 8.0 sacks between them...Howard is the third MEAC opponent that the Pioneers have faced this season, dropping a 17-15 decision to Delaware State in the season opener at home and defeating Norfolk State, 10-3, last week.
 
 HOWARD UNIVERSITY NOTES
 
Howard is riding an eight-game home win streak, dating back to 2021…James and Hunter were both named MEAC Preseason First Team in the backfield, another first...Hunter and Hawthorne have been two of the most productive players in recent history...Hunter has amassed over 2600 yards and 24 TDs in a Bison uniform...Hawthorne has accounted for 1,932 yards and 19 TDs with his receiving and rushing...James has put up some good numbers in his first two seasons, rushing and receiving for almost 1,500 yards while averaging over 5.0 yards per carry....the Bison feature a balanced attack on offense, averaging 180 yards rushing and 191 passing...Howard holds the edge in time of possession with almost 32 minutes per game...the stout Howard defense has 11 sacks through four games and have forced five fumbles...the Bison offensive line has allowed only nine sacks through five games.
 
KENNY GALLOP, JR WATCH
 
CAREER STATS
 
189 solo tackles, 109 assists for 298 tackles
16 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions
 
NEXT UP
 
Howard hosts Tennessee State Saturday (Oct. 19) for HU 100^th Homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and will be carried live on ESPN+.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.