NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 17, 2025) – Howard University football team squares off against Tennessee State University (TSU) in a nonconference matchup at Nissan Stadium (67,700). Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. (ET) / 4:30 p.m. (CT).
 
GAME INFO
 
GAME 7
PARTICIPANTS: Howard University (Bison) at Tennessee State University (Tigers)
DATE: Saturday, October 18, 2025
TIME: 5:30 p.m. (ET) / 4:30 p.m. (CT)
LOCATION: Nissan Stadium (67,700) in Nashville, Tenn.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
HOWARD
 
Howard (3-3) is coming off a 32-14 road loss at Sacred Heart Saturday (Oct. 11) for its second straight setback in a row.
 
Howard was led by sophomore running back Anthony Reagan Jr. (Woodbury, N.J.), who rushed for 117 yards and a TD. Graduate quarterback Tyriq Starks (Carol City, Fla.) completed 11-of-21 passes for 80 yards and a rushing TD.
 
The nationally ranked Buffalo Soldier defense was paced by Judah McJimpsey (Spartanburg, S.C.), who had five total tackles, a tackle for a loss and a fumble recovery return that set up one of the TDs. Kaleb Gallop (Portsmouth, Va.) registered seven total tackles and Zuri Watson (St. Petersburg, Fla.) chipped in with five total tackles and a pass breakup.
 
SEASON RECAP
 
On Aug. 30, the Bison opened the season with 10-9 win over Florida A&M in the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami Gardens, Fla., followed by a 55-7 loss at Temple (Sept. 6) before defeating Morehouse (Sept. 13) and Hampton (Sept. 20) and then dropping back-to-back road decisions at Richmond (Sept. 27) and Sacred Heart (Oct. 11).
 
The Tigers (1-5) opened the season with a 24-21 win over North Carolina A&T State but then dropped decisions to No. 1 North Dakota State (3-59), Alabama A&M (21-23), Tennessee Tech (8-35), Eastern Illinois (7-31) and SE Missouri State (12-28).
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
WATCH: ESPN+
LISTEN: WHBC
IN-GAME: LIVE RESULTS
 
THE SERIES
 
This is the third meeting between Howard and TSU. In 2001, the two first met in the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis and the Tigers prevailed, 45-0.  They faced off last year in Howard's homecoming and TSU took the win, 27-14.
 
THE COACHES
 
Howard is coached by Larry Scott (USF, '00), who is in his fifth full season, and TSU is led by Reggie Barlow (Alabama State '95), who is in his first season.
 
WHAT THE COACHES ARE SAYING
 
COACH SCOTT
 
"We look forward to embracing the atmosphere there, being that it is their homecoming week for them. How we handle all of the distraction will determine the outcome of how we play."
 
COACH BARLOW
 
"We are going to have to play well because Howard is a well-coached team. The defense plays the game the way it should be played. This is homecoming so I expect us to give a great effort."
 
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
SCOUTING THE BISON
 
On offense, the Bison will rely on the talents of Starks (74-of-129 for 749 yards & 4 TDs; 3 rushing TDs).
 
The run game is powered by the duo of sophomore running backs Reagan (54 carries for 342 yards & 4 TDs) and Travis Kerney (53 carries for 238 yards & 2 TDs) and freshman Billy Roberson (27 carries for 144 yards & a TD).
 
The passing game will be bolstered by junior wide receiver Zaden Jackson (10 receptions for 112 yards & a TD), graduate wide receiver Andre Cooper II (8 receptions for 101 yards) and sophomore tight end KD Mosley (10 receptions for 103 yards & 2 TDs).
 
The nationally ranked Buffalo Soldier defense is led by McJimpsey (23 total tackles, 3.0 TFLs, 1.0 sacks and a FR), Watson (18 total tackles, 1.0 TFL & 4 pass breakups [team-leading]), senior All-MEAC defensive lineman Noah Miles (23 total tackles, 5.5 TFLs & 3.0 sacks), red-shirt defensive back Kedrick Green (31 total tackles & a TFL) and sophomore linebacker Ja'Quavion Smith (26 total tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 3 pass breakups & 2 forced fumbles).
 
The special teams are paced by freshman punter Liam Allen IV (almost 40 yards per punt, including two 50+ punts and six inside the 20-yard line) and freshman punt return specialist Antonio Hunter (almost 10 yards per punt return). Howard has blocked two kicks this season.
 
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
 
The Tigers are led on offense by graduate running back Kendric Rhymes (90 carries for 393 yards & 3 TDs; 17 receptions for 173 yards & a TD) and redshirt freshman running back Zack Simmons-Brown (37 carries for 191 yards & 2 TDs). Junior quarterback Byron McNair (58-of-97 for 663 yards & 2 TDs) and redshirt freshman Jonathan Palmer (29-of-60 for 288 yards & a TD) will split the signal calling duties and will be targeting freshman wide receiver Devaugh Slaughter (21 receptions for 264 yards & a TD) and redshirt freshman Snap Reed (11 receptions for 150 yards & a TD).
 
Defensively, TSU is led by redshirt senior All-American candidate defensive lineman James Stewart (36 total tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks, 3 pass breakups & 2 FFs), redshirt freshman defensive back Kaiki Balker (41 total tackles, 4.5 TFLs, a FF & a blocked kick), freshman defensive lineman Bryce Gray (15 total tackles, 4.0 TFLs & 3.0 sacks) and redshirt sophomore defensive back Byron Davis (18 total tackles, a TFL, 3 pass breakups, 2 INTs & 1.0 sacks).
 
The Tigers' special teams are led by redshirt sophomore punter Mark Shenouda (43 yards per punt, five 50+ punts and 12 inside the 20-yard line).
 
CONFERENCE RANKINGS
 
HOWARD 
 
Howard leads the MEAC in total defense (21.6), total defensive yards (309.5 yards allowed), pass defense (132.5 yards allowed per game), pass efficiency defense and fourth down conversion percentage (75 percent)
 
Individually, Starks ranks sixth in total offense…Reagan is third in all-purpose yards and sixth in rushing…Defensively, Miles is sixth in sacks and seventh in tackles for loss…Watson is third in pass breakups.
 
Sophomore placekicker Matt Conord (Lithia, Fla.) is fourth in field goals made.
 
TSU
 
The Tigers rank third in the Big South OVC in defense (226.) and fumble recoveries.
 
Individually, McNair ranks fifth in passing and Palmer 10^th…Rhymes is third in all-purpose running and seventh in rushing.
 
Defensively, TSU is led by Stewart, who ranks second in tackles for losses, fourth in forced fumbles and seventh in sacks…Gray is eighth in sacks…Davis is second in interceptions and eighth in passes broken up…redshirt defensive back Syncere Safeeullah ranks fourth in fumble recoveries…Brent Rowe is sixth and Traviuis Person is ninth in fumble recoveries.
 
Taveon Porter is second in kick returns…Shenouda is fifth in punting…sophomore placekicker Freddy Perez is fifth in field goals made.
 
NATIONAL STATS
 
Howard leads the nation in passing yards allowed (132.5).
 
BISON HOOVES
 
This will be Howard's eighth game on the road…The Bison did play at Audi Field in D.C., but have yet to play at Greene Stadium this season…Howard has played in four different professional stadiums entering Saturday's showdown: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Aug. 30); Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia (Sept. 6); MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (Sept. 13) and Audi Field in D.C. (Sept. 20)…This will be a record fifth professional stadium...16 different receivers have caught at least one pass in the Howard equal opportunity passing offense…Following this game, the Bison will finally get to play in the confines of their home stadium against Morgan State Saturday (Oct. 25) for homecoming and MEAC opener…The Bison have allowed only two first-half field goals in the past two games…Reagan has emerged as one of the top backs in the MEAC after back-to-back 100-yard rushing games…In the loss at Sacred Heart, the Bison defense registered back-to-back goal line stands and forced field goal.
 
TIGER PAWS
 
TSU has been outscored 166-51 during the five-game skid...The Tigers have allowed their opponents to convert 19-of-20 possessions in the Red Zone…The TSU roster is composed of a number of newcomers after 20 players left at the end of the last season.
 
NEXT UP
 
The Bison host Beltway rival Morgan State Saturday (Oct. 25) in Greene Stadium for a double treat: Homecoming and MEAC opener.
 
For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website www.hubison.com.