ABILENE, Texas - The Howard Payne University football team lost 63-7 at 12th-ranked Hardin-Simmons University Saturday afternoon in conference action.

Howard Payne had 165 yards of total offense, 153 on the ground while Hardin-Simmons put up 525 total yards, 220 rushing.

Hardin-Simmons scored three touchdowns in each of the first three quarters to lead 63-0 going into the fourth. The Cowboys would score four in the air, two on the ground and two by interception returns for TDs.

Howard Payne would final get on the scoreboard when backup QB Caisson Montieth found Colten Hearrell on a 43-yard strike with 9:35 left in the game. The TD capped a 12 play 81 yard drive for the Jackets that took 6:06 off the clock.

It Hearrell's first touchdown of his career. He would finish with two catches for 46 yards with the TD. Ja'Von Dickson led the Jackets on the ground with 58 yards on 15 carries followed by Collin Rome with 10 carries for 50 yards.

Starting QB Richard Young was 10-for-17 passing for 38 yards, Montieth was 5-for-6 passing for 55 yards and a TD. Brandon Fisk was 2-for-4 passing for 19 yards and Cody Wilson also had one attempt.

Xavier McFalls led HPU with six total tackles followed by Gage Smith and Jason Disney with five each. Austin Scheaffer and Justin Willis each had a sack and Kris Mack had two pass breakups.

Cowboy QB Ryan Breton was 11-for-21 passing for 248 yards and four TDs. WR Jesse Ramos had seven receptions for 193 yards and four TDs. HSU's Matthew Hawkins led all with 11 tackles.

Howard Payne is now 0-7 overall and 0-2 in American Southwest Conference play. #12 Hardin-Simmons stands at 7-0 overall and 2-0 in league action. The Jackets will be back at home next week facing Louisiana College. It will be a 1:00 pm kickoff time.
,