Homecoming week at Tennessee State University is always special — the crowds, the alumni, the music, and the unmistakable pride that fills the air around Hale Stadium. But for head coach Reggie Barlow and his Tigers, Saturday's matchup against Howard is about more than just the celebration. It's about Family.

The Tigers (1-5) enter the contest looking to snap a five-game losing streak after last week's 28-12 setback to Southeast Missouri. Despite the recent stretch, Barlow said the team's focus remains steady as they prepare to host the Bison (3-3), who are coming off a 27-20 loss to Sacred Heart.

"Man, it's homecoming," Barlow said. "I've been hearing all these great things about homecoming here at Tennessee State University. I'm looking forward to it — the festivities, the alumni, the student body. But the work is still on the field. We've got to get ourselves prepared for a good Howard team."

While the week is filled with celebrations, Barlow knows his team's attention must stay between the lines.

"As a player and a coach, I always looked at homecoming as being about the alums who come back," he said. "We want our players to enjoy some of what's happening, but still stay focused and prepare the right way."

That preparation includes building on the positives from last week's performance. Quarterback Byron McNair has been a steady hand for the Tigers, throwing for 663 yards and two touchdowns this season. He's connected often with Devaughn Slaughter, who leads the team with 264 receiving yards, and Snap Reed, who averages 50 yards per game.

On the ground, Kendric Rhymes has been the offensive engine, rushing for 393 yards and three touchdowns, while Zack Simmons-Brown adds another 191 yards and two scores. Simmons-Brown's 50-yard touchdown against SEMO provided one of the team's highlights last weekend.

"That play was blocked up well," Barlow said. "Zack saw a crease and hit it. Of course, once he got through, they couldn't catch him."

Defensively, Kaiki Baker and James Stewart have anchored a unit that forced four turnovers against SEMO. Baker leads the Tigers with 41 tackles, while Stewart has tallied nine tackles for loss and three sacks. Barlow praised the group's resiliency, particularly in the second half of last week's contest.

"I was proud of how our guys stayed in the fight," he said. "They kept competing to the bitter end. That's what we expect from them."

The Tigers will need that same fight against a Howard team that brings a balanced offense led by quarterback Tyriq Starks, who has thrown for 749 yards and four touchdowns, and running back Anthony Reagan Jr., who averages 6.3 yards per carry and has four scores.

"They're well-coached and play hard," Barlow said. "They run some wildcat stuff and do things a little different on special teams. We've got to be ready to go play our style of football — be able to run the ball and execute in all three phases."

Saturday's matchup also carries a bit of added emotion. Last season, TSU spoiled Howard's homecoming in Washington, D.C. Now, the Bison arrive in Nashville looking for payback — and Barlow knows his team must protect its home turf.

"This game has to mean something to us," he said. "Not saying the others didn't, but this is homecoming — Tennessee State homecoming. We want to put on a good show for everyone coming back."

Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. at Nissan Stadium, as Tennessee State looks to give its fans more than just a reason to celebrate — but something to cheer about long after the band stops playing.