Ja’Shawn Scroggins threw the first and last touchdown to lead Howard University to a 31-24 win over Alabama A&M in the 19th MEAC-SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, GA, Saturday night.
Howard last played in the game in 2022, losing to Alabama State 23-13. Scroggins was a freshman on that Bison team. The Bison returned to Atlanta in 2023, representing the MEAC in the Celebration Bowl against Florida A&M. Howard jumped out to a 14-0 lead in that game but couldn’t stave off the Rattlers’ charge, losing 26-30.
Enter new Head Coach Ted White. White was brought in after the Bison fell off with consecutive sub .500 seasons. A phenomenal college quarterback for the Bison in his day, White choked back his emotions after the win. “It was a special moment for me,” said White after pausing to compose himself. “It is something that I have always wanted, to come back to my alma mater and help the program. It is something I will never forget.”
Out of the gate, it looked as if the Bison were going to run away with the game. A short 29-yard punt by the Bulldogs gave Howard great field position in the center of the field. Scroggins capped the 12-play drive with a pass to tight end Orrin Ford, III.
Howard added two field goals before the Bulldogs began figuring out the Bison defense in the second quarter. “We got off to a slow start,” said Bulldogs Head Coach Sam Shade. “We didn’t take our practice to the game.”
It was Imari Conley’s 43-yard run deep into Bison territory midway through the second quarter that set the game on a new path. Cornelious Brown took advantage of the momentum and threw a teardrop to wideout Jarel Williams. Williams made an amazing catch, dragging his feet along the back of the end zone for the score. The back judge originally ruled Williams was out of bounds, but replay officials overturned the call.
Howard responded with an 8-play, 68-yard drive. Scroggins completed 4 of 5 passes for 41 yards, including a pair to tight end Nathaniel Clark. Clark secured the second pass, a 4-yarder, just inside the goal line.
Alabama A&M responded with an 83-yard scoring drive in a little over two minutes. Imari Conley capped the drive, taking a short pass from Brown 14 yards to pay dirt. The score cut the Bison lead down to six.
Halftime was spectacular as expected. The Marching Maroon and White kicked it off, and Howard’s Showtime Band brought it home.
The Bulldogs’ defense stymied a promising Bison drive, stopping Isaiah Freeman in the backfield for a one-yard loss on 3rd and 3. Howard kicker Matt Conord split the uprights from 24 yards out to extend the lead to nine.
Alabama A&M scored the next ten points to take their first lead of the game with a little less than 8 minutes to play.
Howard made the most of the five minutes that remained. Scroggins used his legs instead of his arm to convert a critical fourth down with a 13-yard gain. The graduate student demonstrated his value and experience by reading the Bulldogs’ zero blitz. Scroggins hit Se’Quan Osborne on the quick slant for a 51-yard catch and run to put the Bison in the lead for good.
Scroggins was named Most Valuable Player for his three passing touchdowns and 315 yards on 19-of-36.