Dover, DE—Ward Mitchell kicked a 26-yard field goal as the gun sounded to stun as Delaware State stunned Howard 22-20 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Alumni Stadium.

The game featured a combination of long drives, botched special teams play and a never-say-die attitude by both teams.

On the Bison's second possession of the game, junior quarterback Greg McGhee put together a 12-play drive that covered 69 yards and used up over five minutes, with McGhee capping it off with a 5-yard pass to tight end David Wilson.
T
he Howard defense would keep the Hornets in check through most of the first quarter until the Hornets took advantage of a Bison fumble and going 25 yards in four plays that ended with Najee Jackson taking it in from two yards out with 7:32 remaining before intermission.

It did not take Howard (3-6, 2-4 MEAC) long as junior Richard Aiyegoro field a kick at his own 25-yard, found a seam in the middle and weaved his way to a 75-yard kick return. It was the first TD return of his career and gave the Bison a 14-7 bulge with 7:26 on the clock in the second quarter.

Delaware State (4-5, 4-2 MEAC) answered six minutes later following an 80-yard drive that took only seven plays and consumed a little over three minutes off the clock. Ward's PAT attempt was blocked and the Hornets trailed, 14-13 at the half.

Neither team was able to get any consistency in the third quarter and through most of the fourth until the Bison embarked on a 99-yard drive, using almost 13 minutes off the clock with Anthony Philyaw taking it in from four yards out with just 3:41 remaining in the fourth frame. John Fleck missed the PAT and the Bison led, 20-13.

"The offense was feeling really good after that drive," said McGhee. "All we were waiting for was a stop from the defense. Things just didn't fall our way at the end of the game. Turnovers hurt us at the beginning of the game. You can't turn the ball over four times and win games. We have to correct that."

The Hornets, under the leadership of their quarterback Cory Murphy, quickly went 77 yards in less than two minutes. The snap for the conversion attempt was bobbled and Delaware State trailed, 20-19 with less than two minutes left.

Then came what proved to be the play of the game. The Hornets lined up for the kickoff and executed a perfect onside kick that Milton Williams recovered at midfield. Murphy drove his team down to the Howard nine-yard line and called its final timeout, setting up Mitchell's potential game-winning kick. In a game of many bizarre plays, even the routine attempt was not a gimme as the snap was bobbled by holder Marco Kano. But he was able to get it down and Mitchell booted it through the uprights for the win, setting off a wild celebration by Delaware State and bitter disappointment by the Bison.
"
They made a play and we didn't," said Howard interim head coach Ray Petty. "We had an opportunity to win the game. We had a missed PAT that gave them a chance to tie the game. And then we come back and block their PAT. We don't get the onside kick. They did a good job of going down the field and scoring."

McGhee had another fine outing in a losing effort, rushing for a game-high 93 yards and completing 17 of 28 for 167 yards and a TD. Philyaw, the two-time MEAC Rookie of the Week, chipped in with 87 yards on 27 carries and a TD, but he lost two fumbles and appeared to be less effective following a hard hit late in the second quarter.

"He was running well prior to that hit, but he did not run that hard afterwards," explained Petty.

Murphy led the Hornets with 49 yards on 12 carries while completing 20 of 30 for 241 yards, a TD and no interceptions.