This year's homecoming game, a natural key point in any season, could be more historic than any previous year. The Bison face the Tennessee State University (TSU) Tigers in the school's 100th home game.

This year's opponent is unknown to the Bison, who have only met the Tigers once in history, a game they lost 45-0 in the Tigers' favor in 2001.

This highly anticipated game has students looking forward to the match on October 19th.

Christian Townsell, a sophomore marketing major from Sayreville, New Jersey, told The Hilltop, “(I'm) counting on the football team to be at homecoming, especially since it's our 100th homecoming.”

Aside from what happens on the field, the bands' showmanship is a standout aspect of game day, and TSU has a Grammy-winning marching band — but it won't be along for the ride.

In a statement to the TSU community on Instagram, the university cited HU's “specific restrictions” on its band that would only allow them to perform after the game.

Despite the absence of TSU's Aristocrat of Bands, Nia Peake, a sophomore software marketing major from Howard County, believes the Bison band will not disappoint.

“They will show up,” she said. “I look forward to it.”

Dyami Sanders, a political science student from New York, is confident that the bison will cope with the task.

“Honestly, when I look at the history of the last few years in terms of homecoming games, we always come through. We always use the 'W'.”

As a pioneer of a new coaching regime and a standard of dominance in HBCU football with back-to-back MEAC championship titles, head coach Larry Scott looks to further establish the university's winning culture.

Preseason

The Bison were led offensively by veteran running back tandem Jarett Hunter and Eden James, who combined for nearly 600 yards on the ground and five touchdowns in five games.

With uncertainty at the quarterback position between first-year starter Ja'Shawn Scroggins missing due to injury and Jaylon Tolbert leading the team for an unspecified number of games, the Bison will likely rely on the comfort that comes with it Veteran presence at running back.

However, the Tigers will start home games with their battle-tested graduate quarterback Draylen Ellis, who has surpassed 1,000 yards in five games.

Ellis leads a balanced attack that has four rushers eclipse the 100-yard mark in five games.

A big key for the Bison defense will be the ability to contain the Tigers' dynamic attack. The defense has been porous in the running game so far, allowing field gains of over 1,000 yards in just five plays.

The secondary needed to step up and be the leading tackler, namely preseason all-conference safety Kenny Gallop Jr.

The backs' consistent overcoming of the first and second levels has put the Bison in vulnerable situations this season, and the Tigers will likely look to exploit that.

On the offensive side of the ball, the running game was stable and reliable. With that in mind, the key to the Bison's offensive success will lie in the ability of the receivers to create separation and the ability of the quarterback, whoever that may be, to be able to deliver the football on time.

A strong offensive line has protected the quarterback efficiently so far, allowing just nine sacks and creating holes for the star running back tandem. The Bison may be able to lean on this line early in the game so they aren't forced into difficult passing situations, and the Tigers won't be inclined to test their run defense and eat up time.

Key players

The key players for the Bison heading into the matchup are leading tackler Kenny Gallop Jr., pass rusher Noah Miles Jr. and running back Eden James.

Through effective pass rushing, Miles Jr. can allow Gallop Jr. and the defensive backs to step back and focus on pass defense instead of run support.

James, who led the rushing attack with strong performances against Hampton and Princeton, will be counted on to set the tone early in the game and open the playbook for the Bison.

Franklin Rivers, a TSU graduate and current coach at Howard, told The Hilltop what fans can expect when they return home.

“The energy will be unreal. And believe me when I say the Tigers will be traveling, so Howard has to bring the energy,” he said.

Rivers believes the Tigers can provide a higher level of play than the Bison are used to.

“TSU is tough, always has been. Howard has done really well the last few years, but where TSU is right now might be too much to overcome,” he said.

Copy edited by Jalyn Lovelady