DOVER, Del. (Interstat) — The Delaware State Hornets used a dominant second quarter and a game-changing defensive touchdown to secure a 26-13 victory over the Howard Bison in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference matchup on Saturday at Alumni Stadium.

The Hornets improved their season record to 8-3, while Howard fell to 4-7.

A defensive stalemate defined the first quarter, with neither team able to find the end zone. The deadlock was broken early in the second quarter when Delaware State kicker Patrick Fisher-Butler connected on a 34-yard field goal.

Howard responded with a drive that culminated in a 28-yard field goal from Matt Conord, tying the game. The momentum, however, swung decisively in Delaware State’s favor for the remainder of the half.

Delaware State quarterback Jayden Sauray, a redshirt sophomore from Lanham, Maryland, engineered a touchdown drive, capping it with a 5-yard rushing score. The Hornets’ offense continued to click, adding another touchdown just before halftime on a 4-yard rush by Ryan Pellum Taylor to take a 17-3 lead.

Howard managed to add another Conord field goal from 32 yards as time expired in the half, sending the teams to the locker room with Delaware State leading 17-6.

The Hornets delivered the knockout blow in the third quarter. Howard quarterback Tyriq Starks, who finished 21 of 39 for 252 yards, was intercepted by Delaware State defensive back Wayne Favors III. Favors returned the pick 91 yards for a touchdown, extending the Hornets’ lead to 23-6 after a failed PAT attempt.

Howard’s offense, which struggled to finish drives for most of the game, finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter. Starks connected with standout receiver Andre Cooper II on a 60-yard touchdown pass with 2:32 remaining. Cooper, a junior from Orlando, Florida, was a bright spot for the Bisons, hauling in four receptions for 117 yards and the score.

Any hope of a late Howard comeback was extinguished when Delaware State recovered the ensuing onside kick. The Hornets then ran out the clock to seal the victory, adding a 39-yard Fisher-Butler field goal with 3:11 left for the final margin.

The Delaware State ground game was a key factor, with running back Marquis Gillis leading the way, grinding out 92 yards on 16 carries. The Hornets’ defense was opportunistic, securing two interceptions, including the pivotal pick-six.

The game’s final score of 39 total points fell well under the pregame over/under line of 50.5. The result was also an upset according to the betting markets, as Howard had been installed as a 13.5-point pregame favorite.

Howard will look to rebound next Saturday when they host Norfolk State. Delaware State will prepare for a home contest against South Carolina State, also on Saturday.