WASHINGTON (October 12, 2024) – Redshirt sophomore Ja'Shawn Scroggins (Las Vegas) scored the go-ahead touchdown with 6:04 remaining in the fourth quarter but it was the defense that played perhaps its best game of the season as the unit shutout Sacred Heart (SHU) in the second half en route to a 21-14 non-conference win at Greene Stadium.
 
The Bison (3-3), who were coming off a bye week, had to scrap and fight their way to extend their home win streak to nine.
 
The Pioneers (3-4) got on the board first when Xavier Leigh bolted on a 67-yard jaunt to score, untouched, while giving the visitors the 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.
 
The Bison would answer when Scroggins, who was re-inserted into the starting lineup after missing multiple games with an injury, put together a 10-play, 68-yard drive that was capped off by MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Preseason Player of the Year Jarett Hunter (Mineral, Va.) three-yard rush off the left side, 7-7.
 
Sacred Heart would come back, using 14 plays to go 63 yards with Jalen Madison scoring from two yards out to finish off the drive, 14-7, with 34 seconds left before intermission. That is when the defense took over.
 
HU stopped the Pioneers on their opening possession to start the third, forcing a punt.
 
Seeing an opening in the Pioneers' punt protection, graduate transfer defensive back Phillip Smitherman (Oklahoma City) burst through and blocked the punt attempt, giving the Bison possession at the Sacred Heart five-yard line.
 
Going from the Wildcat offense, the Bison took only one play as fifth-year Bison wideout Kasey Hawthorne (Sebring, Fla.) scored to tie the game, 14-14, early in the third quarter.
 
The defense of both teams 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, scoring from five yards out to give the Bison their first lead, 21-14.
 
The scrappy Pioneers would not go away and threatened on their next three possession before Howard shut the door to preserve the win to snap a two-game losing streak.
 
Scroggins led all rushers with 85 yards on 12 carries while completing 17-of-29 passes for 153 yards. Hunter added 71 yards on 22 tough carries and Hawthrone had his best game of the season, leading the Bison receivers with five catches for 53 yards, along with his rushing TD.
 
After halftime, the Bison defense after allowed only 68 yards of total offense after giving up 200 in the first half. Coming into the game, the Bison ranked among the nation's leaders in tackles for losses and sacks. They recorded five sacks in the victory.
 
All-American safety Kenny Gallop Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) led all tacklers (8), including six solos while also getting a sack and tackle for a loss.
 
Second-year Bison defensive lineman Ishaun Abdul-Ali (Charlotte, N.C.) was a nightmare for the Pioneers offensive line, racking up seven tackles, 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for losses.
 
NEXT UP: Howard hosts Tennessee State for HU 100^th Homecoming Saturday (Oct. 19) at 3:30 p.m.
 
For more information visit the official Howard Athletics website www.hubison.com.