BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University football team tied and broke school records in a 73-30 victory over Sul Ross State University Saturday afternoon during the Yellow Jackets' Homecoming game. With the win, Howard Payne improves to 5-0 overall, its best season start since 2002 and the 73 points scored by the Yellow Jackets offense is the most by HPU since 1928. 

Howard Payne's Landon McKinney went 17 for 30 passing for 335 yards and six touchdowns tying the HPU record for passing touchdowns in a game with six. It had previously been done by HPU's Adam King in 2001 versus ETBU.

While also rushing for one touchdown, McKinney led the offense to 559 total yards (395 passing, 164 rushing). He threw TD passes to six different receivers. Nick Infante finished 5 for 6 passing for 60 yards and one TD to close out the game for the Jackets. With Infante's TD pass, the combined seven between two QBs broke the HPU team record for passing TDs in a game, previously six set in 2001 versus ETBU.

HPU kicker Blake Phipps broke the HPU record for point after makes in a game going 10 for 10 versus the Lobos. The previous record was eight set in 1987, 2002, and 2003.

HPU's Jake Parker shined on special teams with four punt returns for 131 yards including an 83 return for a TD in the second quarter just before the half. Parker nearly broke the HPU record for punt yards in a game which was set by Rico Gardner with 135 yards versus ETBU in 2000.

Otis Lanier led the HPU receiving crew with three catches for 98 yards and one TD. With 15 different receivers catching passes for the Jackets, Max McCuiston, Quentin Gray, Hunter Cheek, Casey Dufner, Javonte Russell, and Jake Parker all would catch a pass for a touchdown for Howard Payne.

Tauren Bradley led HPU on the ground with 61 yards on 12 carries followed by Stephen Willis with 49 yards on 11 carries. Infante and Jeremiah Milton each had rushing TDs for the Yellow Jackets.

The Yellow Jackets defense held the Lobos to just 86 yards rushing; the fourth consecutive game the Jackets have held its opponent to under 100 yards rushing. The HPU pass pressure would sack Sul Ross six times in the game.

James Jakubowski and Jacob Korrodi each had six tackles for HPU. Korrodi had three tackles for loss.As a team, HPU recorded 11 total tackles for loss in the game.

Howard Payne improves to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in American Southwest Conference action. Sul Ross falls to 1-3 overall and 1-3 in league play. The Yellow Jackets will have a open date next weekend and then will play at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas on Oct. 16th at 1:00 pm.