BROWNWOOD, Texas — The Howard Payne University football team battled back from an early 14-point deficit to take a halftime lead, but #6 Hardin-Simmons scored twice in the fourth quarter to hand the Yellow Jackets a 23-17 setback Saturday afternoon at Gordon Wood Stadium.
The Cowboys opened the contest with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns to take a 14-0 advantage. Ty Thompson connected with Harison Brockway for an 18-yard touchdown before Terrence Scott added a 2-yard rushing score to give Hardin-Simmons the early lead.
Howard Payne responded with a strong second quarter, putting together three consecutive scoring drives to take a 17-14 advantage into halftime. Bryce Still connected with Deuce Martin for a 17-yard touchdown to put the Yellow Jackets on the board. Martin later added a 1-yard rushing touchdown to even the contest at 14-14.
The Yellow Jackets took their first lead of the afternoon just before halftime when Osvaldo Gomez connected on a 23-yard field goal as time expired.
After a scoreless third quarter, Hardin-Simmons regained the lead early in the fourth. Cayden Jones broke through for a 12-yard rushing touchdown to put the Cowboys ahead 20-17. Pedro Altamirano added a 46-yard field goal with 8:13 remaining to extend the advantage to 23-17.
Howard Payne was unable to find the end zone in the second half as the Cowboys held on for the six-point victory.
Still completed 27 of 33 passes for 287 yards and one touchdown without an interception. Martin led the Yellow Jackets with six receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown, while Jayden Evans-Beckwith added four catches for 58 yards.
The Yellow Jackets finished with 388 yards of total offense, including 291 through the air, and held a significant advantage in time of possession, controlling the ball for 38:45.
Defensively, Howard Payne recorded 40 tackles and forced two turnovers, with one fumble recovery. Donte Zeno led the way with four tackles, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
UP NEXT: The Yellow Jackets travel to Abilene to face McMurry University on Saturday, November 7. Kick off is set for 1:00 p.m. Central Time.
