BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University football team improved to 5-0 in conference action with a 48-17 victory over Southwestern University in the HPU Homecoming game Saturday afternoon at Gordon Wood Stadium.

The Yellow Jacket defense shined holding the Pirates to just 36 yards rushing and picking off five Southwestern passes. Jarett Brown anchored the HPU defense with nine tackles, three solo, and intercepted two passes for 34 yards. Kyle Bell was solid again this week with a game-high 11 tackles, four solo, one forced fumble and recovery, and a pass breakup.

Defensive backs Byron Clark, Dylan Zeno, and Davion Tolliver also recorded picks in the HPU secondary.

Otis Lanier led the offensive attack for HPU with five catches for 100 yards and one TD. He also rushed one time for 14 yards, and had one punt return for 38 yards.

HPU QB Landon McKinney was 10 of 24 passing for 144 yards, eight rushes for 40 yards, and one passing touchdown. Billy Reagins led the Yellow Jacket ground game with 15 carries for 60 yards and one TD. 

Harrison Pustilnik had one of his best games as a Jacket connecting on field goals of 30 and 42 yards and had nine kickoffs for 503 yards (55.9 avg) with four touchbacks.

Howard Payne built a 24-0 lead midway through the second quarter before Southwestern was able to get on the scoreboard. With Pustilnik adding a 42 yard field goal right before the half, the Jackets led 27-7 at the break.

It continued to be all HPU in the second half with a 14-yard Tauren Bradley TD run in the third. Then a Kadarius Carr TD reception from Tucker Bridwell ,and a Justin Kay 16-yard TD run in the fourth quarter to end the HPU scoring for the day.

Howard Payne is now 6-1 overall and 5-0 in American Southwest Conference play. Southwestern stands at 2-4 overall and 1-3 in league action. The Jackets will have a open date next weekend and then will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 29th in Abilene, Texas at Hardin-Simmons University. It will be a 1:00 pm kickoff.