HBCU Rushing Offenses: Top Individual Performances

Stats Perform is bringing a greater spotlight to athletes, students and stories at Historically Black Colleges and Universities through a partnership with Urban Edge Network. Included in the 2024 college football season are both HBCU FCS Player and Team of the Week awards and a season-ending HBCU FCS National Player of the Year Award, each presented by HBCU+.

It’s not like every HBCU football team is going to have a Jerry Rice or a Steve McNair or a Doug Williams.

Few teams, in fact.

While passing attacks can be strong, HBCUs on the FCS level have always been filled with talented runners. Just in the last two seasons, HBCU offenses have included three running backs who ranked in the top 10 of the FCS in yards per game: Texas Southern’s LaDarius Owens (2023), North Carolina A&T’s Bhayshul Tutten (2022) and Alcorn State’s Jarveon Howard (2022).

The impressive individual rushing performances have been evident again during the first full month of the 2024 season.

As the SWAC gets set for regular conference matchups and the MEAC goes into its second round of nonconference opponents, there’s a sense the HBCU rushing offenses committed to the ground and pound will reach their overall goals this season.

Here’s a look at some notable rushing performances by HBCU players against FCS opponents (games against sub-FCS competition are not included):

Ja’Quan Snipes, RB, Hampton

Week 4 vs. Howard: 10 carries, 117 yards, two touchdowns

Notable: This was a big matchup for both teams and it became a back-and-forth affair for most of the game. While Hampton boasts an HBCU All-American running back in Elijah Burris, it was Snipes who found the end zone twice: The first time was on a 53-yard run with less than 20 seconds left in the third quarter, breaking a 14-14 tie, and the second to cap a nine-play, 87-yard drive that put the Pirates up by 13 points with eight-and-a-half minutes remaining in the fourth. After winning 27-20 in the 100th meeting with rival Howard, the CAA Football squad earned HBCU+ FCS National Team of the Week.

Eden James, RB, Howard

Week 4 vs. Hampton: 14 carries, 107 yards, touchdown

Notable: James’ 13-yard touchdown run in the third quarter tied the game against Hampton 14-14. He averaged 7.6 yards per carry, consistently gaining solid chunks without breaking any long runs. His performance even eclipsed that of his backfield mate and MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Jarett Hunter (14 carries, 65 yards). It was a breakout game for the junior, who recorded his second touchdown of the season and the first since the Bison’s season opener against Rutgers.

J’Mari Taylor, RB, North Carolina Central

Week 4 vs. North Carolina A&T: 19 carries, 137 yards, two touchdowns

Notable: NCCU pounced on in-state rival North Carolina A&T early with a 20-9 first quarter and never let up en route to a 66-24 victory. Taylor’s 66-yard touchdown run on a third-down play started the offensive onslaught. With his second TD in the second quarter, he basically sponsored the Eagles’ possession: He carried the ball nine times on the 10-play, 71-yard drive, scoring from 5 yards out to give the Eagles a 34-9 lead.

(Florida A&M, North Carolina Central receiving votes in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll)

Deondra Duehart, RB, South Carolina State

Week 2 vs The Citadel: 18 carries, 128 yards

Notable: The Bulldogs defeated The Citadel for the second year in a row, and while Duehart didn’t find the end zone in the 23-20 victory, he was a catalyst for success on each of their scoring drives. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry and helped the team control the tempo and over 36 minutes of game clock. A week later, he found the end zone, scoring two touchdowns against FBS member Georgia Southern.

Kevon King, RB, Norfolk State

Week 0 vs Florida A&M: 14 carries, 146 yards, two touchdowns

Notable: The FAMU Rattlers may have slithered out of Atlanta with a win in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge, but they left with King’s cleat marks all over them. The junior averaged 10.4 yards per carry in a sensational performance, which included an 82-yard TD run early in the first quarter and a 2-yard score in the fourth. His second TD brought Norfolk State within 24-23, but the Spartans didn’t covert a 2-point attempt, and the score remained there the rest of the way.

Ke’travion Hargrove, RB, Grambling State

Week 4 vs Jackson State: 16 carries, 81 yards, two touchdowns

Notable: Grambling came out on top of a marquee matchup against Jackson State 41-20, with Hargrove pacing the Tigers on the ground. He started early in the first quarter with a 7-yard touchdown run, then added a 1-yard score early in the fourth. His 5.1 yards per carry were a difference maker.

Xzavier Vaughn, QB, Alcorn State

Week 4 vs McNeese: 16 carries, 127 yards, touchdown

Notable: Alcorn State was overwhelmed in the first quarter against McNeese and found itself down 21-0, but that is when Vaughn kicked it into high gear. He began to take charge through the air and on the ground, often escaping defensive pressure. His effect on the game as a runner made it easier for teammates because the McNeese defense had to account for him on the ground. It will surely play into Alcorn’s offensive game plans moving forward.

Quintell Quinn, RB, Texas Southern

Week 4 vs Lamar: 23 carries, 149 yards

Notable: Texas Southern nearly pulled off an upset of a nationally ranked team, falling 20-17 at Lamar. Quinn did everything as a runner except find the end zone. The Ohio U. transfer’s 149 yards represented over half of the Tigers’ offensive output and the most rushing yards by an HBCU FCS player this season. His 6.5 yards per carry ensured the Tigers offense remained in rhythm.

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