Howard University football team heads back to New Jersey for the third time this season, facing the Princeton Tigers Saturday (Sept. 28). Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m.
GAME INFO
GAME 5
Howard University (Bison) vs Princeton University (Tigers)
Saturday, September 28, 2024
3 p.m.
Powers Field at Princeton (27,800)
Princeton, N.J.
LAST TIMEOUT
Howard (2-2) IS coming off a 27-20 loss to Hampton in the annual Truth & Service Classic Saturday (Sept. 21) at Audi Field, snapping a two-game win streak. Princeton (0-1) dropped its season opener, 35-20, to Lehigh Saturday (Sept. 21) on the road.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
WATCH: ESPN+
LISTEN: WHBC | Trevin A. Jones (Play-by-Play), Nathaniel Henry (Color Analyst) & Sareyah Rudd (Sideline Reporter)
IN-GAME: LIVE RESULTS
THE SERIES
This is the first meeting between the two institutions.
THE COACHES
Howard is coached by Larry Scott (USF, 2000), who is in his fifth season, while Princeton is led by Bob Surace (Princeton, 1990), who is in his 14th season.
WHAT THE COACHES ARE SAYING
LARRY SCOTT
“Playing Princeton presents several challenges. First and foremost, this will be their second game. The Tigers will be healthy and ready to go. They will challenge us in that they are a smart, disciplined group that will not beat themselves. They run a very complicated scheme and play in play in one of the least penalized conferences in Division I. Playing Princeton presents an opportunity for us to represent our culture, our institution and our brand. We look forward to going up there and playing our best game.”
BOB SURACE
On The Matchup
“The partnership with Howard is one I hope we can extend in the future. I know scheduling can be challenging and it is even harder to match open weeks with an opponent that has academic and football excellence. For me personally, I am excited that we get to compete against a program I have so much respect for.”
On Specific Concerns
“They have played two outstanding quarterbacks that we have to prepare for. That alone has kept the defensive staff from going home at night. They combine that with excellent running backs and skill at receiver with a big offensive lineman that has done a terrific job opening holes and protecting the quarterback. Defensively, the secondary can play man coverage versus anyone.”
On Kenny Gallop, Jr.
“If I had an all-American vote, he’s an easy first team choice for me. He is certainly one of the best players we’ve played against on either side of the ball in my 15 years. He is a standout player.”
KEY PLAYERS
SCOUTING THE BISON
On offense, the Bison will rely on their comparable two-headed offensive attack of redshirt sophomore Ja’Shawn Scroggins (25 carries for 189 yards; 26-of-47 for 273 yards & 1 TD) and redshirt senior Jaylon Tolbert (41-of-57 for 468 yards, 4 TDs & 2 INTs).
The run game is led by the duo of graduate MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Offensive Preseason Player of the Year Jarett Hunter (71 carries for 341 yards & 3 TDs; 7 receptions for 47 yards) and his backfield mate junior Eden James (32 carries for 157 yards & 2 TDs; 8 receptions for 93 yards).
The passing game will be bolstered by wide receivers Isiah Williams (12 catches for 171 yards & a TD) and Richie Ilarraza (17 receptions for 183 & a TD) and Kasey Hawthorne (12 receptions for 143 yards & a TD).
The offensive line is anchored by senior all-conference guard Darius Fox (Washington).
Defensively, All-American Kenny Gallop Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) leads the team in tackles (39 total tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 0.5 sack & FR).
Gallop has plenty of help in senior linebacker Terrance Hollon (24 total tackles, 0.5 TFLs, 0.5 sack, 2 FF & FR), senior defensive backs Xavier Robiou (16 total tackles and pass breakup) and Robert Jones III (14 total tackles, team-leading 3 pass breakups & FR).
Up front, the trio of junior Noah Miles (14 total tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 5.0 sacks & FF), sophomore Ishaun Abdul-Ali (12 total tackles, 3.0 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, FF & FR) and senior Jamel Stewart (15 total tackles, 3.0 TFLs & 1.5 sacks).
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
The Tiger offense is led by junior quarterback Blaine Hippe (15-of-38 for 219 yards, 2 TDs & 3 INTs).
The run game is powered by senior running back John Volker (10 carries for 28 yards & a TD) and junior Dareion Murphy (7 carries for 24 yards).
The receiving targets are senior wide receiver Luke Colelle (5 catches for 86 yards & a TD) and Tyler Picinic (3 receptions for 22 yards & a TD).
Defensively, the Princeton is led by junior defensive backs Nasir Hill (7 total tackles, 0.5 TFLs & 0.5 sack) and Marco Scarano (5 total tackles & 1.5 TFLs), sophomore linebacker Chase Christopher (6 total tackles & a TFL) and senior linebacker Jackson Ford (5 total tackles, a TFL & 0.5 sack).
STATISTICAL RANKINGS
NATIONAL STATS
Howard ranks tied for 20th in sacks in FCS statistical rankings.
Individually, Miles is tied for 8th in sacks and tied for 15th in tackles for losses…Gallop, Jr., is tied for 16th in total tackles.
MEAC STATS
Howard leads the MEAC in total offense (371.3 ypg), rushing (180.0 ypg), passing offense (191.3 ypg), sacks, fumbles forced, fumbles recovered and in Red Zone offense.
Individually, Hunter is second in rushing, fourth in scoring, third in all-purpose running and seventh total offense…James is eighth in rushing…Ilarraza is second in punt return yards (10.5) and fifth in receiving…Williams ranks seventh in receiving and Hawthorne ninth.
BISON NOTES
Ilarraza threw the first TD pass of his career vs Hampton. Both, he and Hawthrone, hold the distinction of having thrown a TD pass as a wide receiver…. James and Hunter were both named first team in the backfield, another first…Hunter and Hawthorne have been two of the most productive players in recent history…Hunter has amassed over 2600 yards and 24 TDs in a Bison uniform…Hawthorne has accounted for 1,932 yards and 19 TDs with his receiving and rushing…James has put up some good numbers in his first two seasons, rushing and receiving for 1,414 yards while averaging over 5.0 yards per carry…Ilarraza has quietly made an impact with 94 receptions…the Bison feature a balanced attack on offense, averaging 180 yards rushing and 191 passing…Howard holds the edge in time of possession with almost 32 minutes per game…the Howard defense has 11 sacks through four games and have forced five fumbles…The Bison offensive line has allowed only seven sacks.
TIGER NOTES
The Tigers have not had a losing season since 2011 and have had eight straight seasons of .500 or better for eight straight seasons…Princeton quarterbacks were sacked six times in the loss to Lehigh…the Tigers finished with minus seven yards rushing and were 3-of-15 on third down conversion while allowing Lehigh to convert on 6-of-13.
KENNY GALLOP, JR WATCH
CAREER STATS
182 solo tackles, 105 assists for 277 tackles
9 tackles for losses, 1.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries & 3 interceptions
NEXT UP
Howard gets a bye next week before returning home Saturday (Oct. 12) for a home game against Sacred Heart at 1 p.m.
Princeton travels to New York to take on Columbia Saturday (Oct. 5).
Source: Howard University Athletics
