GEORGETOWN, Texas - Howard Payne University scored with under two minutes remaining in the game and picked off a pass to claim a 21-17 victory over Southwestern University and remain unbeaten on the season. Howard Payne improves to 6-0 overall, the first time since 1999.

Howard Payne's Otis Lanier hauled in a 20-yard touchdown pass with 1:29 left in the game to give the Yellow Jackets a 21-17 lead. With Southwestern marching the other direction, it was Jake Parker in the secondary that picked off a Pirate pass with :52 seconds left to secure the victory.

Lanier finished with eight catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns for the HPU. Landon McKinney was 16 of 30 passing for 165 yards with two touchdowns for the Jackets.

Howard Payne scored on its opening drive of the game when Landon McKinney ran it in from two-yards out to cap a four play 84-yard drive. 

Lanier increased the HPU lead to 14-0 catching a 38-yard reception from Landon McKinney with 10:17 left in the second quarter. 

With a 25-yard field goal before the half and TD passes in the third and fourth quarters, the Pirates gained a 17-14 advantage on the Jackets with 13:11 left in the game.

After punts by both teams and a missed field goal by Southwestern, the Jackets would then march down for the Lanier score with 1:29 remaining.

Jake Parker led the HPU running game with three carriers for 76 yards. Parker also had four catches for 32 yards. Stephen Willis added 48 yards on five carries.

Peyton Lowe anchored the HPU defense with nine tackles, three for loss, and one sack. Kyle Bell, Dai'Shawn Fisher, and Carson Padilla each added eight tackles. Isaiah Milton and Padilla also recorded sacks in the game for HPU. Dylan Zeno and Jake Parker gained HPU's two interceptions in the game.

HPU ia now 6-0 overall and 5-0 in American Southwest Conference action. Southwestern stands at 1-5 overall and 1-4 in league play. The Yellow Jackets will be at home next Saturday to take on Belhaven University. It will be a 1:00 pm kickoff.