Box Score Orangeburg, SC---South Carolina State returned two interceptions for touchdowns to start the game and then went on to hand Howard University a 49-10 defeat at the Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest.
           
The Bulldogs (3-3, 2-1 in the MEAC) wasted little time when Chris Pauling returned a Jamie Cunningham pass 42 yards for the game's first score with just 20 seconds off the clock.
           
The Bison (0-6, 0-4 in the MEAC), who have lost their two leading rushers, were down to reserve quarterback Da'Vaun Johnson, who made his first start.  With the instability at that position, Howard was out of sync offensively and South Carolina State advantage, forcing three and outs.
           
The Bulldogs were having their problems on offense as well, but the defense more than made up.  Their next score also came courtesy of the defensive unit as Darius Leonard took a Cunningham pass 65 for a score at the 7:39 mark.
           
With the Howard offense continuing to have problems, South Carolina State finally got something from its offense when Caleb York hooked up with Mykal Moody on a 67-yard catch and run that upped the score to 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
           
The Bulldogs would then put together its first sustained drive of the game, going 71 yards on 10 plays with Lewis Freeman scoring from 10 yards out.  That upped the margin to 28-0 at the half.
           
"My thing is that I can live with a loss, but I'm very disappointed with the way that we played today," said Howard Coach Gary "Flea" Harrell.  "We didn't come out and play with a lot of effort throughout the game.  We fell behind early and my leaders are not leading right now."
           
South Carolina State added another score midway through the third quarter before the Bison finally made a dent with a 36-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
           
The Bison got off 70 plays and held the advantage in time of possession but the interception returns and untimely penalties stymied any consistency.
           
Reserve running back Rodney Tyson led all rushers with 66 yards while Cunningham and Kalen Johnson, who came in for Cunningham, combined for 12 of 25 passing for 77 yards and 3 interceptions.
           
"The quarterback play has to get better" said Harrell. "We have to find a quarterback who can get us through this season and end it on a positive note.  Right now, we're out of MEAC contention for the title, but we still have to play with pride and effort.  We just have to find a way to play good football."
           
In a losing effort, Robert Mercer averaged almost 25 yards on six kick returns while John Fleck averaged 42 yards per punt, including a 69-yard effort, the second longest of his career.
           
South Carolina State's York completed 13 of 22 for 208 yards and two touchdowns.

NEXT UP:  Howard travels to Greensboro, NC to take on the Aggies of North Carolina A&T at 1:30 pm for their homecoming while the Bulldogs travel to Dover, DE to take on the Hornets of Delaware State next Saturday.