Abram Choate, SID
BROWNWOOD - Visiting McMurry took advantage of eight Howard Payne turnovers to beat the Yellow Jackets 34-24 at Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood Saturday afternoon.
Howard Payne threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles in the first quarter and McMurry took advantage by capitalizing with 10 points and never looked back.
The Yellow Jackets fumbled the opening kickoff for the first of four turnovers in the first quarter. McMurry also lost two possessions in the first quarter on an interception and a fumbled snap. It was McMurry that struck first when Lewis found Dusty with a 64-yard score with 4:34 to go.
Josh Neaves added a 20-yard field goal with 2:13 remaining in the first quarter. Howard Payne got on the board with a 36-yard field goal from Jordan Bullard. McMurry then responded marching 83 yards in 16 plays by sneaking the ball over the goal line for a 1-yard score. The extra point made the score 17-3 MCM, and neither team scored for the remainder of the half.
MCM's Tristan Randle scored on an 85-yard touchdown run on McMurry's second drive of the second half. Joe Alexander of McMurry then recovered in a Jason Lovvorn fumble from 32-yards out to put McMurry up 31-3.
For the remainder of the contest, HPU would outscore McMurry 21-3. However, McMurry was able to keep the rally at bay for its second win of the season and its first win in the American Southwest Conference this season.
HPU out-gained McMurry on the day 369-348, however, it was the offensive miscues that kept the Yellow Jackets from taking advantage of its offensive production otherwise.
Last week's ASC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, Jason Lovvorn, finished with 263 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 23 of 45 passing. However, his four picks and HPU's four lost fumbles were the story for the Yellow Jackets.
Howard Payne receiver, Jordan Beard, finished for the second week week in the row with 140+ yards receiving. He caught seven passes for 144 yards and a touchdown.
McMurry QB Lewis finished 9 for 24 passing with 126 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. RB Randle finished with a career high 147 yards rushing with touchdown.
HPU's Zach Howard had 97 yards rushing on 13 carries to go with seven catches for 43 yards.
McMurry's Andrew Wallace led with eight tackles and 1.5 for a loss. Trey Brown, Jamorian Wilkins and Daniel Griggs added interceptions to go along with Alexander's.
Howard Payne's Landon Dyer was credited with a game-high 15 tackles on the day and Kasey Black had two of HPU's three interceptions. DE Stephan Benard had eight total tackles, two for loss, and two sacks.
The Yellow Jackets will travel to Abilene next week to take on Hardin-Simmons University.
