ABILENE, Texas - The Howard Payne University football team picked up its first conference loss of the season 28-19 at Hardin-Simmons University Saturday afternoon at Shelton Stadium.

Despite the Howard Payne offense recording 389 yards to Hardin-Simmons' 368, the Yellow Jackets were unable to score a touchdown in the second half after leading 19-7 at the half.

Otis Lanier led the HPU offense with 10 catches for 106 yards. He also had four kick returns for 57 yards. QB Landon McKinney was 20 of 32 passing for 274 yards, with two TDs and one interception.

It was the HPU defense that shined, especially in the first half, holding HSU to just seven points and 100 yards of total offense.

KC Cornelious led the Jacket defense with 10 tackles, eight solo and a forced fumble followed by Jessie Paris with nine and Kyle Bell with eight, Bell also added two pass breakups, Peyton Lowe and Jaden Elie each recorded a sack for the Jackets.

The Yellow Jackets started the scoring in the game with a 49-yard TD pass from McKinney to Hunter Cheek with 12:06 left in the first quarter.

HPU then extended the lead to 10-0 on a Harrison Pustilnik 20-yard field goal with 9:55 left in the second quarter. Midway through the quarter, Pustilnik connected on a 39-yard field goal to bring the HPU lead to 13-7.

With 22 second left in the first half, McKinney found Jordan Carroll on the endzone for a 39 yard TD strike making it a 19-7 HPU halftime advantage.

Howard Payne is now at 6-2 overall and 5-1 in American Southwest Conference action. Hardin-Simmons stands at 7-1 overall and 5-1 in league play. The Yellow Jackets next week will take on the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at home for a possible of the share of the ASC Championship. The senior day game will kickoff at 1:00 pm at Gordon Wood Stadium.