BROWNWOOD, Texas - Howard Payne University picked off three passes and recovered two fumbles in a 17-3 conference victory over Belhaven University Saturday afternoon at Gordon Wood Stadium.

The win places Howard Payne at 5-5 overall and 4-5 American Southwest Conference play to finish the season, the best for the Yellow Jackets since 2005.

The Howard Payne defense was the difference in the game forcing five turnovers and blocking one punt, 

With 8:31 left in the first quarter, the Jackets capitalized on a Stephen Darden pickoff with a 43 yard Blake Phipps field goal to give the Jackets a 3-0 lead.

Then at the close of the first half, HPU's Jake Parker blocked a Belhaven punt that would set up a DunTayviun Gross four-yard TD reception from Nick Stolt with :37 second remaining in the first half.

To cap off the Yellow Jacket defensive effort, Conner Day forced a fumble and recovered it for a 27 yard TD with 13:14 left in the fourth to give the Jackets the eventual 17-3 victory.

Austin Killgore led all tacklers with 12, two solo, and one for loss. Michael Davis recorded two sacks and Zach Eskridge finished one sack and a forced fumble.Dylan Zano, Stephen Darden and Jarett Brown each had an interception. Zeno would also have two pass breakups.

HPU's Nick Stolt was 9 of 17 passing for 48 yards and one TD. Stolt also ran for a team high 66 yards on 19 carries. Thomas Williams was the Jackets top receiver with two catches for 38 yards. 

Blake Phipps had eight punts for 288 yards (36.0) a long of 54 yards, one inside the 20 and one touchback. Phipps did hit the one 43 yard field goal and had one blocked.