BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University football team got 197 yards of rushing from freshman Hunter Batten but fell in season finale 61-38 to Louisiana College Saturday afternoon at Gordon Wood Stadium.

After a tight played first half between the two teams, Louisiana College outscored Howard Payne 28-14 in the second half. Both teams finished 500 or more yards of total offense in the game. HPU with 500 yards (293 rushing,207 passing) and LC with 552 yards (175 yards rushing, 377 passing).

After a Louisiana College score with 10:28 left in the first quarter, Hunter Batten struck for the Jackets with a 67 yard touchdown run on HPU's next possession to make the game 7-7. 

A Louisiana College interception and return for touchdown gave the led back to the Wildcats (extra point blocked by HPU) but the Jackets would then take the led on an Eric Haverstock TD reception from Mitchell Jennings with 2:17 left in the first quarter. Haverstock finished the game with six receptions for 77 yard and two TDs.

A Brett Martinez TD catch with 14:27 left in the second quarter gave the Jackets a 21-13 lead but two back to back TDs for the Wildcats returned the lead to LC 27-21 with 10 minutes left in the first half.

A Blake Phipps 33 yard field goal with 6:24 left in the second quarter brought HPU to within three, 27-24. but LC ended the half with back to back field goals of 49 and 32 yards to hold a 33-24 halftime advantage.

Howard Payne would find the endzone once in the third and once in the fourth. Eric Haverstock hauled in a 8 yard pass from Jennings to cap a nine play 63 yard drive by the Jackets to start the third quarter. In the fourth, Hunter Batten rush in from one yard out to cap a 10 play 69 yard drive with 11 seconds remaining in the game.

Hunter Batten ended the game with 197 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. Brett Martinez followed with 71 yards on 18 carries. Mitchell Jennings was 18 of 30 passing for 207 yards and three TDs with two interceptions.

Lucas Steinkanp led the HPU defense with nine tackles and Colton Dickerson, James Benson, and Austin Killgore each adding seven tackles. Jorden Smith and Tevin Dawson each had an interception for the Jackets.

Caisson Montieth had three punts for 129 yards (43.0 avg.), two over 50+ yards. 

The Yellow Jackets end the season at 1-9 overall and 1-8 in American Southwest Conference play. Louisiana College season ends at 3-7 overall and 2-7 in league action.