In a game in which everything was close – the distance between the schools, the two head coaches, the talent of the players – the most impactful performance came offensively from a player listed on the roster as a linebacker.
Howard’s Tawon Billups redefined the term workhorse Friday night on Reggie White Field at Red Gaston Stadium, racking up 107 yards and two touchdowns on a bevy of carries – including the eventual game-winner in the Hustlin’ Tigers’ 14-7 win over visiting Chattanooga Christian.
“It was a tough game in every way,” first-year Howard head coach John Starr said. “We had to overcome a lot of things tonight including injuries, but nobody got distracted when it mattered.”
Howard ran the ball 21 times with six different players in the first half, but their sophomore linebacker-turned-running-back matched that total and then some in the second half to keep the clock on their side.
“The only thing he told me was keep the ball tucked and just run straight forward,” Billup said after walking gingerly out of his team’s postgame huddle. “With the way our line played, that’s all I had to do.”