Howe scored in all three pre season home friendlies against Bristol City, Exeter City and Burnley after missing the first friendly against Tiverton Town. Howe also scored on his league debut for Torquay, in the 2–2 draw with Burton Albion and scored again, in the next match, in a 2–1 win against his former club, Bristol Rovers. Then, on 25 October 2011, Howe scored his first brace of the season, in a 4–0 win over Wimbledon, ending their eight matches winless streak, starting since 10 September 2011. Then, on 16 December 2011, in a 4–0 win over Accrington Stanley, Howe received a straight red card for his challenge on Dean Winnard, in a 3–1 loss. His dismissal earned him a four match suspension. Having served his four-game ban, Howe made his return, coming on as a substitute in the 71st minute, in a 2–1 win over Morecambe. Later in the 2011/12 season, Howe goalscoring added five more goals to his tally. In League Two play-off's, against Cheltenham Town, Howe come off as a substitute in the 21st minute after a hamstring injury and causing him to miss the next leg, which Torquay United lose again. In his first season at Torquay, he was the first-choice striker and both top scorer in the league, jointing with Lee Mansell and all competitions with fourteen; also a key-player to the club that send the club to the League Two play-off's by finishing fifth place. However, Howe was the player who was sent off most often for the club twice and scored fourteen goals in forty-three appearances in all competitions.
