WAXAHACHIE, Texas - The Howard Payne University team suffered a 63-34 season opening loss to Southwestern Assemblies of God in Waxahachie, Texas to open the season.

With Southwestern Assemblies of God opening up a 35-0 advantage in the first half, the Jackets would score 20 unanswered points to pull within 15, 35-20 at the half. Howard Payne's 14 point fourth quarter would not be enough to overcome three third quarter touchdowns by SAGU leading to a 63-34 final score.

"We cannot beat ourselves (turnovers) and we need to play assignment football," said head coach Braxton Harris. "Howard Payne will continue to get better and we will compete with anyone the Jackets lineup against."

HPU Scoring Plays

2nd	07:28	HPU - Jacob Walters 30 yd field goal 11 plays, 53 yards, TOP 6:00	3	35
2nd	03:10	HPU - Jacob Walters 35 yd field goal 9 plays, 13 yards, TOP 4:20	6	35
2nd	01:34	HPU - Hunter Batten 2 yd run (Jacob Walters kick ), 4 plays, 15 yards, TOP 1:27	13	35
2nd	00:05	HPU - Tariq Gray 22 yd pass from C. Montieth (Jacob Walters kick ) 3 plays, 46 yards, TOP 0:24	20	35

4th	12:24	HPU - C. Montieth 1 yd run (Jacob Walters kick ), 7 plays, 52 yards, TOP 2:26	27	56
4th	05:04	HPU - Garrett Weaver 5 yd run (Jacob Walters kick ), 9 plays, 72 yards, TOP 4:53	34	63

Quarterback Caisson Montieth was 11-of-19 passing for 75 yards and a TD, Montieth would also have 13 rushes for 757 and a TD. Eric Haverstock had 6 catches for 46 yards.

Tevin Dawson and Austin Killgore each recorded seven tackles for the Jackets. Kicker Jacob Walters was a 2 of 2 from 30 and 35 yards out. Walters also was perfect on extra point attempts (4 of 4) and had seven kickoffs for 391 yards and two touchbacks.

Howard Payne will be open next weekend before returning to pay on Sept. 16th at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. It will be a 6:00 pm kickoff.