Jackets Win OT Thriller at ETBU, 34–27

MARSHALL, Texas – In a wild overtime finish on a crisp Saturday afternoon, the Howard Payne University football team battled past East Texas Baptist University for a 34–27 victory at Ornelas Stadium. The Jackets rallied behind a relentless rushing attack and clutch plays on both sides of the ball to notch their fourth win of the season.

After a tight regulation that ended knotted at 27–27, HPU struck first in overtime when Mateo Hernandez connected with Cooper Staton for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play of the extra period. The Jacket defense then slammed the door, with Justin Griffith delivering a sack on fourth down to seal the road victory.

Blessing Ngene powered the HPU offense all day, rushing for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, including an 11-yard score in the fourth quarter that briefly gave the Jackets the lead. JD Mays added another touchdown on the ground, while Bryce Still threw for 172 yards and a touchdown.

Howard Payne finished with 397 total yards, including 200 on the ground, and converted 8-of-14 third downs while controlling the clock for over 30 minutes.

The Jacket defense came up big when it mattered, forcing two turnovers — highlighted by Justin Kay's interception return of 25 yards in the first quarter that set up the team's first touchdown drive. Cade Rochinski and Ryan Campbell each tallied 10 tackles, and Griffith's overtime sack capped off a gritty defensive performance that limited ETBU to just one touchdown over their final seven drives.

The Jackets' ability to capitalize in the red zone proved to be the difference, going 4-for-5 on scoring chances inside the 20.

With the win, Howard Payne improves to 4–5 overall and 2–3 in ASC play, while handing ETBU its fifth straight conference loss.

"I'm incredibly proud of how our guys battled today," said head coach Coby Gipson. "We showed a lot of toughness and belief, especially when the game was on the line. Our offense kept fighting, the defense made big plays when we needed them, and that's the kind of effort we want to build on moving forward."

The Jackets return home next week looking to keep the momentum rolling in their final stretch of the season against Mary-Hardin Baylor.