The Delaware State football team will be playing for the MEAC title in DeSean Jackson’s first season as head coach.
Wayne Favors III’s 91-yard pick six was the big play as the Hornets held off Howard 26-13 in a very chippy game that resulted in over 250 yards in penalties between the teams.
With a 4-0 mark in conference play, DSU will host South Carolina State, also 4-0, for the MEAC title and a spot in the Cricket Celebration Bowl next Saturday.
Jayden Sauray started and saw most of the action at quarterback for Delaware State, completing 7 of 13 passes for 144 yards and running for the go-ahead touchdown from five yards out in the second quarter. Marquis Gillis led the Hornets with 86 yards rushing on 15 carries, crossing the 1000-yard mark for the season.
DSU (8-3 overall) led 17-6 to start the third quarter when Howard marched down the field inside the Hornet 15.
Bison quarterback Tyriq Starks was harassed into a poor throw, which Favors hauled in with one of hand and with Samuel Korpoi screening Starks downfield, he had clear sailing to the end zone for 23-6 DSU advantage.
Placekicker Patrick Fisher-Butler made field goals of 34 and 39 yards while receiver Ryan Pellum-Taylor scored on a four-yard end round for Delaware State.
Starks connected with Andre Cooper II on a 60-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter for Howard, who fell to 4-7 overall and 1-3 in MEAC play.
