Washington, D.C. (Oct. 22, 2022) --- Howard spotted Delaware State an early field goal before scoring 28 unanswered points to highlight its 35-17 homecoming win over the Hornets in a MEAC contest at Greene Stadium today.
The loss snapped a two-game win streak for Delaware State, which fell to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the MEAC. The Bison, playing their 2022 MEAC opener,  ended a two-game slide to improve to 2-5 overall.    
Howard racked up 376 total yards, including scoring runs of 75 and 74 yards. The Hornets totaled 275 yards, 151 passing and 124 on the ground.
Delaware State opened the scoring when Jonathan Cardoza-Chicas nailed a 51-yard field goal on the opening possession of the game, his second conversion of 50-plus yards this season. He booted a career-best 54-yarder at Delaware on Sep. 10.
Howard grabbed the lead for good on the ensuing possession when Quinton Williams connected with Nah'Shawn Hezekiah on a six-yard touchdown pass to cap off a 10-play, 65-yard drive. The extra point kick gave the Bison a 7-3 lead at the 4:58 mark of the opening quarter.
On Howard's next possession, Kasey Hawthorne ran 75 yards to the endzone for a touchdown.
The Bison led 14-3 at the half.
Howard pulled ahead 21-3 on the opening possession of the second half when Williams hit Matthew McDonald on a 14-yard touchdown pass and capped off its 28-point run on a six-yard touchdown run  by Williams and extra point kick with 6:38 to go in the third quarter.   
Delaware State broke the Howard run early in the fourth quarter when Marquis Gillis (r-fr.; Milford, Del.) scored on a 31-yard scamper on fourth and three to cap off a nine-play, 63-yard drive. However, the extra point kick was unsuccessful, leaving the Hornets behind 28-9 with 13:12 left to play.
Gillis has scored a rushing touchdown in each of the last three games to give him a team-high five this season.
Howard needed just two plays to answer the Delaware State score when Jarrett Hunter dashed to the  endzone from 74 yards out for a touchdown on the ensuing possession.    
Delaware State closed out the scoring on a two-yard touchdown run by Thomas Bertrand-Hudon to cap off an 11-play, 94-yard drive in the final moments of the game. The Hornets converted a two-point play on a Wade Inge run following the score with 18 seconds left to play.  
Delaware State quarterback C.J. Henry (r-Fr.; Newark, Del.) started his third game this season. He completed 15 of 29 passes for 144 yards, but was sacked four times.
Gillis rushed for a team-high 87 yards on just eight carries, including a 41-yard run.
Linebacker Aiden Webber had a team-high seven tackles (five solo), while Isaiah Williams and Brooks Parker recorded sacks for the Hornets.
The Hornets return to action next Sat. (Oct. 29) against North Carolina Central in the annual homecoming contest. Kick off is set for 2:02 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.