BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University football team picked up its first loss of the season in a 63-20 outing against #7 Hardin-Simmons University.

Howard Payne totaled over 300 yards of offense for the third straight week, this time 178 passing and 145 on the ground. 

Caleb Estes was 16 of 31 passing for 178 yards, two TDs and his first interception of the season. Cameron Keener led the HPU ground game with 79 yards on seven carries and one TD. Thomas Williams had four catches for 79 yards and one TD.

The Yellow Jackets struck first in the contest scoring on their first possession. Caleb Estes connected with Thomas Williams on a 55 yard touchdown pass with 11:27 left in the first quarter. It capped a seven-play 69 yard drive for HPU.

Despite the Jackets having opportunities to find the endzone, the next four scores would be the Cowboys leading to a 28-7 advantage for Hardin-Simmons with 10 minutes to play in the first half.

A Cameron Keener 46 yard run for HPU would break the Jacket scoring drought, after a blocked extra point the score was 28-13 HSU.

The Jackets found the endzone again with 7:17 left in the third quarter on a DunTayviun Gross 11-yard TD reception.

Yellow Jacket Ryan Hirt had 12 carries for 35 yards and Shannon Warren seeing action for the first time this year had 23 yards on seven attempts.

HPU's Connor Day led all tacklers with 11, six solo and two interceptions. Zeno Barnum followed with eight tackles, one fumble recovery and two pass breakups.

HPU's McGwire Martin had seven punts for 284 yards, a 40.6 avg., a long of 53 yards, two inside the 20 and two touchbacks,

Howard Payne is now 2-1 overall and 1-1 in American Southwest Conference play. #7 Hardin-Simmons stands at 3-0 overall and 2-0 in league action. The Yellow Jackets will be at Mary Hardin-Baylor next Saturday in Belton, Texas for a 6:00 pm kickoff.