KERRVILLE, Texas - Whether it was a takeaway by the defense, a big play through the air, a game-changing punt return, or a bruising run on the ground, the Howard Payne University football team delivered in each phase on their way to a 41-21 American Southwest Conference win over Schreiner University.

Howard Payne improved to 5-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play after totaling 510 yards of offense and forcing three turnovers on the road.

The Yellow Jackets wasted little time getting on the board. After an interception by Braeden Dozier gave Howard Payne favorable field position, Bryce Still connected with Deuce Martin for a 74-yard touchdown strike to open the scoring. Later in the quarter, a forced fumble by Ryan Campbell and the recovery by Bryan Elizalde set up Still's 10-yard touchdown run as the Jackets built a 13-0 lead.

Schreiner responded with a lengthy scoring drive in the second quarter and trimmed the deficit to 13-7 heading into halftime, but Howard Payne seized control coming out of the locker room.

The opening minutes of the third quarter proved decisive. After the Yellow Jacket defense forced a quick three-and-out, Devin Guillory provided an immediate spark with a 26-yard punt return touchdown. Just moments later, Kevin Jacobs intercepted a pass to set up a seven-yard touchdown run by J.D. Mays, extending the lead to 27-7.

Schreiner refused to go away and cut the margin to 27-14, but Howard Payne answered with one of its biggest drives of the day. A 52-yard burst from Blessing Ngene ignited an 88-yard march that ended with a 15-yard touchdown connection from Still to Ellis Myers, pushing the lead back to three scores.

The Mountaineers pulled within 13 early in the fourth quarter, but the Yellow Jackets put the game away with a methodical 10-play drive that drained more than five minutes off the clock. Ngene capped the possession with an eight-yard touchdown run to seal the 41-21 victory.

Ngene led the Howard Payne rushing attack with 188 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, while Mays added 88 yards and a score. The Jackets finished with 307 rushing yards and averaged nearly seven yards per carry.

Still completed 16 of 27 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Martin finished with 96 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Myers added a receiving score.

Defensively, Cameron Hall turned in another standout performance with nine tackles, 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss. Justin Griffith and Hezekiah Parker each added eight tackles as the Yellow Jackets forced three turnovers and limited Schreiner's opportunities throughout the afternoon.

Howard Payne controlled the ball for more than 35 minutes and scored 20 points off turnovers, using a complete team performance to enter their bye week with a victory.

UP NEXT: The Yellow Jackets will enjoy a week off before bracing for the ASC's best, the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys, who will enter the October 31 match up ranked in Division III's top ten. Kickoff at Gordon Wood Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m. Central Time.