BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University football team fell 20-19 to American Southwest Conference opponent Belhaven University on a touchdown pass with seconds remaining Saturday afternoon at Gordon Wood Stadium.

The Yellow Jackets struggled offensively totally 179 yards of offense, 137 in the air. Belhaven had 304 yards of total offense and picked off three passes in the game. The Jackets would be able to get to the quarterback sacking the Blazers five times.

With the Jackets up 19-14 after an Isaiah Smith 40 yard punt return for a touchdown, Belhaven later had the final possession in regulation driving 90 yards in 11 plays and eventually scoring on a 39-yard pass with 20 seconds remaining in the game.

Howard Payne would block the extra point and have one final opportunity to win the game but would through an interception with four seconds left to confirm the 20-19 final.

Howard Payne took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when DunTayviun Gross hauled in a Gage McClanahan 21 yard pass with 2:23 left in the quarter.

Belhaven scored two TDs over the next two periods to take a 14-7 advantage midway through the third quarter.

A second TD reception by DunTayviun Gross with 1:53 left in the third made it 14-13 Belhaven after a blocked extra point. Then the Isaiah Smith punt return for a touchdown with 9:27 left in the game gave HPU a 19-14 edge.

HPU's McClanahan was 12 of 25 passing for 137 yards, two TDs and three interceptions. Kaidrion Latson was the Jacket's top rusher with 10 carries for 25 yards Gross recorded seven catches for 78 yards and the two TDs.

Austin Killgore led all tacklers with 13, one for loss and one sack. Britt Boler followed with eight tackles, 2.5 for loss and one sack. Collin Wright added 2.5 more sacks to his season total of 3.5. Zeno Barnum and Tray Baker each had two pass breakups.

Howard Payne is now 1-3 overall and 1-2 in American Southwest Conference play. Belhaven stands at 1-3 overall and 1-2 in league action. The Jackets will travel to East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas next week for a 6:00 pm kickoff on Saturday.