Delaware State entered Saturday's HBCU matchup with a spark that came long before the opening kickoff. That spark arrived when DSU legend John Taylorstepped into the locker room. The former Hornet and San Francisco 49ers star delivered a message that hit every person in the room, including DeSean Jackson.
"He told us, ‘Y'all gonna win this game, and I'll be back next week,'" head coach DeSean Jackson said. during post game press conference, "He said he could tell since the first game this was going to be a special team."
That pregame moment set the tone for a tough, chippy, and emotional game that Delaware State controlled from start to finish.
The Hornets beat Howard 26–13, reinforcing that the Jackson era is changing the program's identity, and the power structure in HBCU football.
Pregame Visit From John Taylor Gives Delaware State a Lift
Taylor's confidence mattered. His message connected DSU's rising future to its powerful past. Jackson said the impact was immediate.
"Having someone like him support us… it's special."
The Hornets took that belief straight onto the field.
Delaware State Sets a Physical Tone From the Start
The Hornets opened aggressively. They controlled the line of scrimmage, leaned on the run game, and forced Howard to play on their terms.
Delaware State finished with:
Although the game turned chippy - DSU recorded 195 penalty yards and Howard had 119 - the Hornets continued to dictate the style.
Wayne Favors III Delivers a 91-Yard Turning Point
Howard trailed 17–6 late in the third quarter and threatened to score. Instead, cornerback Wayne Favors III changed the entire game.
He jumped a pass at the DSU 9-yard line and raced 91 yards for a touchdown.
The play silenced Howard and lifted the stadium.
Favors kept the explanation simple.
"Somebody had to make a play. I saw it, tried him, and took it," he said. "Sam got the block that sprung me."
That moment shut the door on Howard's comeback hopes.
Quarterback Jayden Sauray Highlights Delaware State's New Mindset
Jayden Sauray described why the Hornets stay composed in tense games.
"I trust the coaches," Sauray said. "Whoever they put in, whatever they call - I control what I can control."
His confidence reflects the alignment inside the program. It also shows how DeSean Jackson's leadership is stabilizing Delaware State in high-pressure HBCU moments.
DeSean Jackson Says DSU Is Done Being Treated Like the ‘Little Brother'
Jackson addressed the changing perception of the program. He acknowledged how opponents still see Delaware State, yet he pointed out why that thinking is outdated.
"Teams still act like the big brothers," Jackson said. "They've been beating y'all, so why would it be different? But it's a new era. Our mentality is different now."
He admitted the Hornets weren't perfect.
"We didn't play our brand of football. Too many bonehead mistakes. But we won - and that's what matters."
Winning the messy games is something previous DSU teams struggled with. This one didn't.
The numbers tell the story of a stronger, smarter, tougher program:
205–43 rushing advantage
Two interceptions
Zero turnovers
Nearly +10 minutes in possession
A 91-yard defensive touchdown
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Combined with the pregame confidence from John Taylor and belief within the roster, Delaware State looked like a program gaining real traction.
The 26–13 win wasn't just a final score. It was evidence of DSU's growth, toughness, and new identity under DeSean Jackson. With support from alumni legends and improved performance in critical moments, this team is showing signs of long-term momentum.
HBCU football is watching.
Delaware State is taking the respect it once had to beg for.
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