BELTON, Texas – The Howard Payne University football team's unbeaten start to the season came to a close on Saturday afternoon as the Yellow Jackets dropped a 33-10 decision to #19 Mary Hardin-Baylor in their American Southwest Conference opener at Crusader Stadium.

Facing one of the nation's top programs on the road, Howard Payne battled throughout the contest and showed signs of life in the second half, but the Yellow Jackets were unable to overcome a slow start as UMHB built a 26-0 halftime advantage.

Mary Hardin-Baylor struck first with a 26-yard field goal midway through the opening quarter before adding a touchdown pass from Carson Horton to Will McClintock for a 10-0 lead. The Cru extended the margin later in the quarter when a Howard Payne fumble was returned 21 yards for a touchdown.

The Yellow Jacket defense came up with a key stop in the opening period when Kevin Jacobs intercepted a pass in the end zone, preventing another scoring opportunity for UMHB.

The Cru added a pair of second-quarter scores, including a 23-yard touchdown reception by BJ Stewart and a field goal as time expired before halftime to take a 26-0 lead into the break.

Howard Payne responded with its most impressive drive of the afternoon to open the second half. The Yellow Jackets methodically marched 45 yards on 15 plays, controlling possession for more than eight minutes before Osvaldo Gomez connected on a 37-yard field goal to put HPU on the scoreboard. Gomez is one of eleven kickers in all of Division III to remain perfect on field goals through Week 6 of the season.

After UMHB answered with a touchdown drive to make it 33-3 late in the third quarter, the Yellow Jackets continued to fight. Early in the fourth quarter, Bryce Still found Deuce Martin down the sideline for a 47-yard touchdown pass, capping a 75-yard drive and cutting into the deficit.

Still finished 12-of-21 through the air for 110 yards and a touchdown. Martin led Howard Payne receivers with three catches for 60 yards and a score, while Blessing Ngene paced the ground game with 21 rushing yards.

Defensively, Elijah Flowers-Goodloe turned in a standout performance with six tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack. Hezekiah Parker also recorded six stops, while Armani Franklin and Elijah Dillard each added four tackles. Mays contributed an interception and 15 rushing yards.

Howard Payne was limited to 132 yards of total offense, while Mary Hardin-Baylor finished with 263 total yards. The Cru defense recorded six sacks and forced three turnovers in the victory.

UP NEXT: The Yellow Jackets will look to shake off their first loss of the year with a trip to Kerrville on the horizon. Howard Payne faces off with Schreiner University, the ASC's newest addition, on Saturday, October 17. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. Central Time.