BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University football improved to 4-0 in conference play with a 30-18 victory over the McMurry University War Hawks Saturday afternoon at Gordon Wood Stadium.

It was the second best defensive outing for the Yellow Jackets this season holding the War Hawks to 18 points and to under 200 yards rushing and passing (162 rushing, 167 passing). HPU's Kyle Bell anchored the Jackets defense leading all tacklers with 15 (11 solo).

HPU's Landon McKinney was 19 of 40 passing for 254 yards and four TDs. Otis Lanier was his top receiver with eight catches for 132 yards and three TDs. Jordan Carroll had six catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Tauren Badley led the ground game for HPU with 13 carries for 71 yards. Lanier also had three carries for 41 yards.

Following Kyle Bell on the defensive side was Jessie Paris with nine tackles, two for loss, and James Jakubowski with eight, 1.5 for loss and one sack. Peyton Lowe would also record his first interception of the season for the Jackets.

Jackson Coulson had two punts for 94 yards (47.0 avg) with a long of 54 yards, one inside 20, and one touchback.

The Yellow Jackets led 17-0 at the half with a Harrison Pustilnik 20 yard field, and two Otis Lanier TD receptions of 54 and 10 yards in the second quarter.

Neither team scored in the third quarter but Lanier would haul in his three TD of the game at the start of the fourth, a 15-yard pass from McKinney. Jordan Carroll added another TD grab with 1:17 left to play to put the game out of reach.

Howard Payne is now 4-0 in American Southwest Conference play and 5-1 overall. McMurry stands at 0-6 overall and 0-4 in league action. The Yellow Jackets will take on Southwestern University next Saturday, Oct. 15. It will be a 2:00 pm HPU Homecoming kickoff.