SHERMAN, Texas – The Howard Payne University football team only held the lead for 33 seconds but it was enough for a 23-20 Yellow Jacket victory over Austin College Saturday afternoon at Apple Stadium.
Down 20-17, the Yellow Jackets drove 85 yards in 11 plays scoring with 33 seconds remaining on a
Landon McKinney 12-yard TD pass to
Otis Lanier. After a blocked extra point,
Otis Lanier picked off a pass with no time left to secure the victory for the Jackets.
The Howard Payne defense held Austin College to just 216 total yards of offense, only 30 yards passing.
Kyle Bell led the defense with 11 tackles, six solo. Five different Jackets recorded tackles for loss with
Brayden Rhea leading with two for loss.
Landon McKinney was 27 of 36 passing for 240 yards, two TDs, and one interception.
Otis Lanier was his top receiver with 10 catches for 94 yards and one TD.
Jordan Carroll followed with six catches for 61 yards and one TD.
Tauren Bradley was the top Yellow Jacket rusher with 17 carries for 61 yards.
Yellow Jacket
Jackson Coulson had two punts for 87 yards (43.5 avg) with a long of 69 yards.
Harrison Pustilnik connected on one 30-yard field goal for HPU
HPU got its only score in the first half on a run by
Javian Myles who fumbled near the endzone then was recovered by HPU's
Deon Collins who continued it for a touchdown.
After a
Harrison Pustilnik 30-yard field in the third quarter,
Jordan Carroll caught a 4-yard TD reception from
Landon McKinney with 10:57 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 17-17.
Austin College then took a 20-17 lead on a 45-yard field goal with three minutes left to play.
With 33 seconds left in the game, the Yellow Jackets gained their first lead of the game, 23-20 after the blocked extra point.
Otis Lanier picked off the Austin College Hail Mary pass as time expired to end the game in the Yellow Jackets' favor.
Howard Payne finishes the season at 7-3 overall and 6-2 in American Southwest Conference action. Austin College ends its season at 1-9 overall and 1-7 in league play.
