The buzz surrounding Howard’s 100th homecoming game has been building for months since Tennessee State was announced as the opponent.
That anticipation will reach a fever pitch when the Tigers arrive Saturday afternoon at Greene Stadium. They are on a three-game winning streak and have a 5-2 record.
Howard (3-3) has some momentum of their own, shutting out Sacred Heart in the second half on their way to a 21-14 win last Saturday.
The game will begin at 3:30 p.m. EST and air on ESPN+.
Both coaches understand that this is a unique experience for both teams.
“Their homecoming is world-renowned. It’s a big deal in the HBCU world. Howard homecoming is one everyone across the world tries to get to,” TSU head coach Eddie George said. “The good thing is we’re the away team. We don’t have to deal with the on-campus distractions. We’ve just got to come in there and win a game. It’s going to be high energy, high impact. They have a nine-game winning streak at home. We have our work cut out for us; we understand what’s at stake against a really good football team. It’s a great challenge and a great opportunity for us.”
Howard coach Larry Scott had a different perspective.
“It’s a balancing act. This is a pivotal part of Howard University’s history for these young men, and they have an opportunity to take some part in it,” Howard head coach Larry Scott said. “You can expect culture and pageantry across campus. The landscape we’re in, it’s an election year, it’s D.C., it’s TSU, Greek life that will have the attention of everyone. This is a moment that won’t ever be duplicated again, so we want to take some of that in.”
Scott mentioned TSU quarterback Draylen Ellis and defensive back Boogie Trotter as two guys his team will need to be on high alert for on Saturday.
[Ellis] is very active, quick release, uses his legs to keep plays alive, can get the ball out real quick, he presents different issues with his athleticism. We’re going to have to be very aware of him,” Scott explained. “[Trotter] is Really active, can cover, a physical guy can find the ball, he’s a really good player, and he’s definitely a guy we’re going to have to try to isolate, keep in a position know where he’s at and what they try to do with him because he can definitely impact the game.”
George had high praise for Howard safety Kenny Gallop Jr., the MEAC’s preseason defensive player of the year.
“He’s playing all over the place. He plays with high energy, he plays secondary, he plays linebacker, and he’s a gifted athlete. He looks the part,” George said. “He’s the heart and soul of that defense. We’re very mindful of where he is at all times. He’s a playmaker that’s a play away from turning the game around. I can see why he’s getting the looks, praise, and attention he’s getting from the next level. He’s somebody that you’ve got to know where he is at all times.”
And one more person to watch may be visiting Greene Stadium this weekend but likely won’t see any action on the field—current Vice President, presidential candidate, and Howard alumna Kamala Harris is rumored to be attending.
Both George and Scott have been made aware of the possibility and have planned ahead.
“I think it’s already in play. We’ve talked to some of their operations and gotten the logistics of how Saturday’s going to go,” George said. “We understand we might have to get off the bus early to get checked, and there’s going to be tight security.”
“That’s going to bring a whole different element. You’re talking Secret Service, a whole lot of other stuff that’ll be happening,” Scott said. “By that time, we have to keep our team as focused and dialed in as possible. We can’t be focused on the show.”
The show will be the football game, something both coaches are excited about.
“We’re on a mission; we know what our goals are, we’re going to go in there and put our best foot forward. This is a business trip for us,” Eddie George said. “Every single game counts. We want to go into the final stretch of our schedule with momentum. This is a wonderful opponent to go against.”
Said Scott about the game with all its historical elements:
“[Tennessee State] has all the attributes of a really good football, and there’s no confusion as to why they’re sitting where they are,” Larry Scott said. “It’s a tall challenge for us at home. The beautiful part is we are at home, and we’ve played some really good football teams. Our guys are definitely excited for the challenge.”