Howard University’s victory against Morgan State on Saturday was a historic homecoming matchup in a number of ways.
While it was their eighth matchup of the season, it was the Bison’s first “home” game back in Greene Stadium on the campus of the university.
Moreover, the timing was perfect as the Bison had just dropped its third game in a row at Tennessee State (Oct. 18), plus Oct. 25 marked the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for both Howard and the Morgan State Bears.
Howard’s challenging schedule included games in Miami, Philadelphia, Richmond, Nashville, Fairfield, Connecticut, East Rutherford, New Jersey, and D.C. at Audi Field. So it was perhaps what the doctor ordered for the nomadic team.
“It will be good not to have to travel and pack and unpack our bags,” noted Howard head coach Larry Scott before Saturday’s game.
Howard took advantage of home as it captured a dramatic 33-27 overtime victory over the visiting Bears to the delight of the homecoming crowd of almost 10,000, who filled Greene Stadium to see their team for the first time on their true home turf this season.
The game started out with some entertainment as comedians and actors Cedric the Entertainer and Howard University alum Anthony Anderson served as team captains in the rep game coin toss.
From there, the fans were treated to one of the most competitive and entertaining homecoming games in recent memory.
After four ties and three lead changes, it took an extra frame to be decided.
Following a huge defensive stand by the defense, Anthony Reagan Jr. capped off the dramatic contest with a 25-yard game-winning touchdown run.
The sophomore running back came into the season listed as a reserve behind all-conference selection Eden James, son of former NFL great Edgerrin James, who was injured in the first game against Florida A&M. The difference-maker in Saturday’s game, Reagan has been more than an adequate replacement.
He finished the game with a game-high 123 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. He added another 36 yards on pass receptions that helped keep drives alive.
“It was a great way to celebrate homecoming,” Reagan said.
Twists and Turns Throughout the Game
The game featured several ebbs and flows as neither team was able to take control.
Howard (4-4 overall, 1-0 MEAC) opened the scoring with a nine-yard touchdown pass from graduate quarterback Tyriq Starks to freshman tight end Xavier Newsom, but Morgan State came right back to tie the score, 7-7.
From there, the teams took turns. The Bison regained the lead, 14-7, on a 34-yard touchdown jaunt by Reagan.
Morgan State answered with a score to tie the game, 14-14, at halftime.
The Bears appeared to gain momentum when their quarterback stunned the nationally ranked Howard defense with an 81-yard touchdown run to start the third quarter, giving them their first lead of the game, 21-14.
**FILE** Howard junior reserve quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins warms up before a 2024 season game. During Howard’s homecoming matchup against Morgan State on Oct. 25, Scroggins scored from seven yards to tie the score, 21-21, to start the fourth quarter. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)
Then, it became a defensive struggle for the rest of the third quarter until Howard junior reserve quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins scored from seven yards to tie the score again, 21-21, to start the fourth quarter.
Morgan State (3-5 overall, 0-1 MEAC) would come back 10 minutes later to regain the lead, 27-21, on a Jason Collins (Theodore Roosevelt High School) touchdown run, but the Bears missed the point after touchdown.
With 3:27 on the game clock in regulation, the Bison faced the task of having to score against one of the top defenses in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. But the team combined on a play to knot the score with the potential game-winning conversion that would have all but secured the win with just 49 ticks on the clock.
However, this storybook homecoming was packed with drama, so the game went into overtime.
Morgan State got first possession from the Howard 25-yard line. The Buffalo Soldier defense stepped up and stopped the Bears on downs, forcing a field goal attempt that went wide.
“The stand was everything,” said redshirt defensive back Kaleb Gallop, who recorded a team-high six tackles and a key sack. “We were built for that moment. We pride ourselves on finishing. This game means a lot to the seniors. It is their last homecoming and it also gets us back on the winning track.”
The stop allowed Howard to secure the hard-fought victory. Reagan took the handoff from Starks, went right, and zipped into the end zone to set the dramatic celebration in Greene Stadium.
“When the defense did their part, we knew what was at stake,” said Reagan. “There was no doubt in the huddle that we were going to score. The o-line did a great job. All I did was follow their blocks.”
For Coach Scott, the win could not have come at a better time. The Bison are 1-0 in conference play with a big showdown coming up on Nov. 1 against North Carolina Central University.
“In terms of the come-from-behind victory, the team kept believing and competing,” said Scott. “All that we experienced leading up to the present had prepared us for conference play. These experiences will continue to benefit us down the road.”
Source: Washington Informer
