Jack McDaniels

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Any dreams Delaware State had of picking up its first win on Saturday were quickly dashed.

Howard reeled off 23 first-quarter points and led by 35 at halftime en route to a 55-13 victory over the Hornets in MEAC football at Greene Stadium.

Already leading 7-0, the Bison helped break open the contest on a 78-yard touchdown reception by Jequez Ezzard from quarterback Caylin Newton.

It was the first of three TD catches for Ezzard, who collected 191 yard on just four receptions. Newton completed 10-of-24 passes for 313 yards with five TDs and an interception.

Howard (2-1 MEAC, 2-3 overall) outgained DelState (0-3 MEAC, 0-6 overall) by a margin of 511-379 yards in total offense.

Jack McDaniels took over at QB for the Hornets, completing 14-of-25 passes for 144 yards. DSU starter Keenan Black was 0-for-6 in the contest.

Brycen Allene ran for a game-high 80 yards on 17 carries with Bryant Dallas adding 65 yards on 14 carries.

The Hornets scored their only touchdown with 3:25 remaining in the contest when Michael Chris-Ike’s one-yard run finished off a 16-play, 79-yard drive. Fidel Romo-Martinez kicked a pair of second-quarter field goals to account for DSU’s other points.

David Bowman, the freshman defensive back from Milford High, had a team-high 12 tackles for the Hornets. Keyjuan Selby added an interception.

DelState has given up at least 34 points in all four of its games while allowing 54 or more in three of its last four contests.

The Hornets next play at South Carolina State at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.