Led by quarterback Caylin Newton, Howard exploded out to an early lead and held off South Carolina State late to spoil the Bulldogs' homecoming, 28-20. The victory over SC State is Howard's first since 2002.

Howard generated 365 yards of total offense on 75 plays. Deep-threat sophomore Jequez Ezzard had a game-high 144 receiving yards, including a 94-yard touchdown. Dezmond Wortham had 82 yards on the ground.



HU cashed in on SC State's opening drive turnover with a double-reverse pass from redshirt junior Jason Collins to Ezzard to go up 7-0. One possession later, running back Anthony Philyaw capped a seven play 68-yard drive with a score to push the lead to 14-0. And with under seven minutes left in the opening quarter, Newton found Ezzard on the other end of a 94-yard touchdown pass to give the Bison a three-score lead.

Tyler Scandrett cut into the deficit for SC State at the beginning of the second quarter with a 24-yard field goal. Then, with halftime approaching, Dewann Ford found De'Mo Burroughs with a touchdown toss to cut the margin to 11 at 21-10 -- followed by another Scandrett field goal to make it 21-13.

Howard would respond on the ensuing drive, marching 11 plays, 52 yards, capped by an eight-yard touchdown run by Da'Vaun Johnson to provide what would ultimately be the winning tally.

Newton broke a single-season school record for total offense in the first quarter, passing Greg McGhee -- who set the mark in 2011.