Howard will have to navigate the remainder of its season without one of its most important offensive weapons, while the status of another key contributor remains uncertain.
Quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins is out for the season with an undisclosed injury, Howard coach Ted White confirmed on Monday, and running back Eden James is sidelined indefinitely as the Bison prepare for Thursday’s matchup against South Carolina State.
The losses leave Howard facing significant questions about its offensive identity and how it will generate production without two players White considers central to the team’s success, though the offense has struggled with consistency this season.
“Those two are the guys that we really depend on to make this offense go,” White said. “And if they’re not able to play, these are opportunities for other guys that we’re able to step up.”
Scroggins, who had been the engine of Howard’s offense, finishes his season with 1,092 passing yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. He completed 98 of 196 passes while adding 228 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground. His ability to make plays with both his arm and legs made him an important component of the Bison’s offensive attack.
James’ availability remains less certain. White said the running back was not moving particularly well Wednesday morning, leaving the coaching staff to begin considering alternative plans.
James has been one of Howard’s most productive offensive players, rushing for 317 yards and three touchdowns on 51 carries. His 6.2 yards-per-carry average highlights the explosiveness he brought to the backfield. He also contributed five receptions for 37 yards.
White acknowledged that replacing the production of both players will be challenging, particularly as Howard looks to establish consistency offensively.
The Bison current rank last in the MEAC scoring at 18.6 points per game and at the bottom in yards at 250.7 per game.
The coach also pointed to the team’s struggles in its previous outing, when unfavorable down-and-distance situations prevented the Bison from getting their running game established. The rushing attack averages a conference-worst 3.4 yards per attempt.
“We never had an opportunity to really get to it because we were constantly in third-and-long situations, and we never got an opportunity to get the running game going,” White said.
The inability to establish the ground attack was particularly disappointing for White, considering the work the coaching staff had put into preparing different players to take advantage of opportunities.
Howard’s response, according to White, began with an honest conversation about what needed to change.
The coaching staff held what White described as a “come to Jesus meeting” following the previous game, emphasizing accountability, alignment and executing the fundamentals at a higher level.
White said the energy surrounding practice improved afterward, with players responding positively to the message.
“Yesterday was energized. Practice this morning was energized,” White said.
Now, the Bison must turn that renewed energy into production against South Carolina State.
