Delaware St. 39, Howard 36

Published Nov. 19, 2011 4:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

Nick Elko threw three touchdowns to help Delaware State defeat Howard 39-36 on Saturday, snapping an eight-game losing streak.

Delaware State (3-8, 1-7 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) trailed 36-24 before Elko led the Hornets on two fourth-quarter touchdown drives. Elko capped off the first drive with a 38-yard strike to Travis Tarpley to draw Delaware State within five points of the lead, 36-31. Elko and Tarpley connected again two drives later from 28 yards out to take a 37-36 lead. Darius Jackson caught a pass from Elko on the two-point conversion to create the final margin.

Elko, who was benched before Delaware State's game last week with Hampton, bounced back nicely, throwing for 324 yards on 28-of-44 passing.

Howard (5-6, 4-4) fought back, driving to Delaware State's 26-yard line on its final possession. But Parker Munoz's 43-yard field goal fell short as time expired.