FB Preview: ETBU at Howard Payne
East Texas Baptist (2-2, 1-0 ASC) at RV Howard Payne (3-1, 0-1 ASC)
Brownwood, Texas – Gordon Wood Stadium
Kickoff: 1:00 pm CST
Series: ETBU leads 13-11
Last Meeting: HPU won 33-21 in Brownwood, Texas (9-24-22)
Head Coaches: Howard Payne - Kevin Bachtel | ETBU – Calvin Ruzicka
Listen: 94.3 FM KYOX or www.HPUsports.com/watch
Video: www.HPUsports.com/watch
Live Stats: https://hpusports.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
 
Howard Payne
Despite gaining nearly 100 more yards of total offense (470-HPU, 371-HSU) than Hardin-Simmons last week, Howard Payne picked up its first loss of the season 33-40 on the road.

HPU's Gus Charles had six catches for 172 yards and one touchdown. Charles' TD catch was a 70-yard reception in the third quarter giving the Jackets a 24-21 lead over Hardin-Simmons.

Safety KJ Kelley recorded a game-high 13 tackles and anchored an HPU defense that held Hardin-Simmons to just 168 yards passing. Kelley is leading the team in tackles with 8.5 per game (4^th in the ASC).

Kicker Rider Davila was 2 for 2 in field goals versus Hardin-Simmons connecting from 24 and 33 yards. Davila was also 3-for-3 in extra-point attempts.

The Yellow Jackets are still the top-rated offense (44.3 ppg, 495.8 ypg) and top-rated defense (13.3 ppg, 268.0 ypg) in the American Southwest Conference.

The Jackets are the top-rated passing offense in the league at 362.8 yards per game led by receivers Gus Charles at 102.0 ypg with 4 TDs and Jordan Carroll at 70.0 ypg with 4 TDs.

East Texas Baptist
ETBU sits a 2-2 overall and 1-0 in American Southwest Conference play after a 35-7 win over Austin College at home last week.

The Tigers are coached by first-year head coach, Calvin Ruzicka, who was previously the defensive coordinator for ETBU.

ETBU is averaging 23.5 ppg and allowing 34.5 ppg on the year. Projected QB for the Tigers will be Cornelius Banks who has thrown for 709 yards, seven TDs, and two interceptions.

Their top rusher is Jaden Thomas with 227 yards and two TDS and ETBU's top receiver is Traylen Llanas-Wilcox with 348 yards and four TD receptions.
 
AROUND THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE

ASC FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Games: September 30, 2023
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Noah Garcia, RB, So., Hardin-Simmons
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Tray Ervin, LB, Fr., Hardin-Simmons
 
CO-SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK – K.J. Peoples, KR, Jr., Hardin-Simmons
CO-SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Carlos Arreola, K, Fr., Sul Ross St.
 

SCHOOL	CONF	CPCT.	OVERALL	PCT.	STREAK
Mary Hardin-Baylor	1-0	1.000	1-3	.250	W1
Hardin-Simmons	1-0	1.000	3-1	.750	W1
East Texas Baptist	1-0	1.000	2-2	.500	W1
Texas Lutheran	0-0	.000	1-3	.250	L2
Austin	0-1	.000	1-3	.250	L1
Howard Payne	0-1	.000	3-1	.750	L1
McMurry	0-1	.000	2-2	.500	W1
Sul Ross State #	0-0	.000	2-2	.500	W2

# - Ineligible for ASC and NCAA Championships (NCAA Division II reclassifying)

Away	Home	Time	Location
Sul Ross State	Austin	1:00 P.M.	Sherman, Texas
Mary Hardin-Baylor	Texas Lutheran	1:00 P.M.	Seguin, Texas (Conf.)
East Texas Baptist	Howard Payne	1:00 P.M.	Brownwood, Texas (Conf.)
Hardin-Simmons	McMurry	6:00 P.M.	Abilene, Texas (Conf.)