Ja’Shawn Scroggins led the Bison offense to its best performance of the season amassing 506 yards in a dominating 38-0 shutout of the Delaware State Hornets.
Howard’s defense was equally dominating holding Del State to 116 yards of offense. Robert Jones III finished with two interceptions thanks to the constant pressure applied by the front four with an occasional blitz thrown in for kicks and giggles.
This was the perfect game for Scroggins to work on his accuracy. The Hornets’ secondary gave up 477 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns to SC State a week ago. Scroggins fell one short finishing with four TDs through the air completing 24 of 41 passing attempts. He finished with an efficient 65 rushing yards on 8 carries.
Howard didn’t need their second-leading rusher’s legs against the Hornets. Leading rusher Jarett Hunter and Eden James split 26 carries to rush for 88- and 58 yards. Nine ball carriers combined for 256 yards on 42 carries.
Breylin Smith opened the scoring barrage with a 26-yard reception in space so wide he walked into the end zone with the closest defender 10 yards away.
It was becoming clear how the Bulldogs scorched the Hornets’ secondary. Missed assignments by the Hornets secondary left Kasey Hawthorne and Montrell Walker wide-open for touchdowns.
The incredibly odd thing is the Hornets’ secondary was quite effective when focused. Eight of Scroggins’ incompletions were passes knocked away by the Hornets. At least two of those batted balls should have been intercepted.
Barry Wagner, Kahleef Jimmison, and Christian Garrett led the Hornets’ defense from the secondary. Jimmison, the team’s leading tackler, had two pass breakups to go along with 8 stops including one for a 2-yard loss. Wagner led all tacklers with 13 including 8 solo stops, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup. Garrett made a touchdown-saving tackle on Scroggins at the goal line. The hit knocked the ball into the end zone where Wagner scooped it up.
Curt “C.J.” Henry Jr. completed six passes on 20 attempts for the Hornets. The junior, one of four Hornets that has called signals for the offense, had several passes dropped by receivers. Through nine games the entire receiving corps is ranked fourth in the conference 130 catches for 1403 yards and last in efficiency.
The Most Entertaining Player of the Game award undoubtedly goes to the Bison’s Hawthorne. While the 2024 Preseason MEAC All-Conference selection led all receivers with 105 yards on 9 receptions, it was the way he gained yards after the catch that brought the HU sideline and fans to their feet. The fifth-year senior flashed and juked his way clear of multiple defenders for additional yardage. Oh, how many memories of watching Barry Sanders and Walter Payton dazzle defenders on TV were brought back.
Howard (4-5, 1-1) will stay home to face conference-leading SC State (6-2, 2-0) next Saturday. Delaware State (1-8, 0-2) will make a stop in Baltimore to face the Bears of Morgan State (4-5, 1-1).
GAME DAY PHOTOS (120 photos)
All photos Jason McDonald, JM Photography for CORE360 Sports