WASHINGTON (November 9, 2024) - The Howard University football team defense put in another solid effort, but it was not enough to overcome turnovers and penalties, falling, 38-14, to South Carolina State (SC State) in a key Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game at William H. Greene Memorial Stadium.
 
By virtue of the loss, Howard (4-6, 1-2 MEAC) fell two games behind the league leading Bulldogs (7-2, 3-0 MEAC), who stand alone in first place with two games remaining and are riding a five-game win streak.
 
South Carolina State set the tone early after stopping the Bison and proceeding 58 yards in eight plays with KZ Adams scoring untouched from four yards out at the 8:55 mark of the first stanza.
 
The Bison countered three minutes later with a seven play, 65-yard drive that was finished off with a 10-yard strike from redshirt sophomore quarterback Ja'Shawn Scroggins (Las Vegas) to graduate wide receiver Isiah Williams (Rockville, Md.).
 
Two possessions later after the Bison had held SC State on downs twice, the Bulldogs picked off the first four interceptions and quickly cashed in with Einaq Carter hauling in a 63-yard strike from Eric Phoenix. The PAT failed, but SC State led, 13-7, just before the half.
 
The game would turn again when Scroggins would throw an errant pass that was intercepted by SC State Jarrod Washington and returned 47 yards to the house, making the score 21-7 following the two-point conversion.
 
The Bulldogs upped the margin, 28-7, when Phoenix threw the second of three TD passes on the day, this time to Kashawn Toney from 20 yards. The Bison refused to fold and following a SC State turnover on a muffed punt return, the Bison got on the board on a 21-yard hookup between Scroggins and graduate running back Jarett Hunter (Mineral, Va.). Howard trailed, 28-14, heading into the third quarter.
 
Then in the fourth quarter, the Bulldog defense took over, rendering the Bison ineffective. For the day, SC State recorded 12 tackles for loss, six sacks and four turnovers, all season highs for the Bison.
 
Hunter, playing in his last game at home in a Bison uniform, gave another solid all-around performance with 59 yards on seven carries and five receptions for 23 yards and a TD.

Scroggins completed 15-of-30 for 161 yards and 2 TDs but he threw three interceptions.
 
All-American safety Kenny Gallop Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.), who was also playing in his last home game at Howard, had another one of his signature days with five solo tackles, a forced fumble, a tackle for a loss and a pass breakup.
 
Terrance Hollon (Cleveland), who has had a fine season, finished with eight tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and forced fumble.
 
NEXT UP: Howard has a short turnaround as it travels to Durham, N.C., to take on the Eagles of North Carolina Central Friday (Nov 15) at 8 p.m.

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