Jackets Lose On Last Minute TD

Thomas Head brakes HPU record for pass comp. pct. in a game

HPU Sports Information

Box Score
PLAINVIEW, Texas – Howard Payne held a nine point fourth quarter lead only to have Wayland Baptist score 14 straight points to defeat the Yellow Jackets 27-23 in non-conference action Saturday afternoon.

After Wayland Baptist scored on their opening drive, the Yellow Jackets settled down and went on to hold a 10-7 halftime lead.

Thomas Head would score on a 6-yard run with 14:52 left in the first. Then with just 17 seconds left in the first half, a Joshua Martinez 20 yard field goal made it 10-7 Jackets at the half. The field goal was the first of Martinez's college career. The Jacket drive took 15 plays over 91 yards taking 6:02 off the clock.

Wayland would go ahead 14-10 with 3:45 left in the third on a 16 yard run. The Jackets answered back scoring on a 27 yard pass by Head to John Williams, 17-14 Jackets. HPU then forced and recovered a Wayland fumble on the kickoff return. That would set up another Yellow Jacket TD, this time it was a Thomas Head 5 yard run, his second in the game. After a failed two-point conversion attempt, the score was 23-14 Howard Payne.

Both teams would then punt the ball away until Wayland scored on a 1 yard run with 3:47 to play in the fourth quarter.

Wayland would hold the Jackets and force a punt. Josh Eppler's punt would go off the side of his foot giving Wayland good field position. Wayland then scored on a 2 yard run with 48 second left in the fourth to go up 27-23.

A Thomas Head interception on the Jackets next drive would clinch the win for Wayland 27-23.

Adrian Lighteard had 19 rushes for 100 yards. Thomas Head was 19 of 22 passing (86.3%) for 162 yards, one TD and two TDs rushing. Head's 86.3% completion percentage broke the school record for pct. in a game previously held by Adam King with 86.2% (25 of 29) versus Mississippi College in 2003. Tristian Fuentes had 3 catches for 76 yards and a TD. JD King led the HPU defense with 9.5 tackles, 1.5 for loss, and a sack.

The Jackets are now 0-3 on the year and will be open next week before playing Louisiana College on the road September 29th at 1:00 pm.
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