BROWNWOOD, Texas – The Howard Payne University football team closed out its home schedule in emphatic fashion Saturday, rolling past East Texas Baptist 56-40 in an American Southwest Conference finale at Gordon Wood Stadium.

The Yellow Jackets piled up 652 yards of total offense, including 390 through the air and 262 on the ground, while overcoming an early 34-28 halftime deficit to score 28 unanswered points spanning the third and fourth quarters.

Quarterback Bryce Still threw for 390 yards and six touchdowns, tying the single-game record for passing touchdowns at Howard Payne while connecting on 20-of-36 passes. Deuce Martin was his favorite target, hauling in 10 receptions for 225 yards and four touchdowns, while Ellis Myers added four catches for 68 yards and a score. Eric Simpson contributed two touchdown receptions, including a 10-yard score in the third quarter.

Howard Payne also found success on the ground behind Blessing Ngene, who rushed 24 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns. JD Mays added 55 rushing yards, helping the Yellow Jackets average 6.6 yards per carry.

After East Texas Baptist took a 34-28 lead into halftime, Howard Payne seized control in the third quarter. Martin caught a 31-yard touchdown pass midway through the period before Simpson added a 10-yard scoring reception. The Tigers answered with a touchdown late in the quarter, but Howard Payne carried a 42-40 advantage into the final 15 minutes.

Martin struck again in the fourth quarter with touchdown receptions of 29 and 46 yards to push the Jackets' lead to 16 points. The Howard Payne defense took over from there, forcing two interceptions in the final period and holding East Texas Baptist scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, Hezekiah Parker led the Yellow Jackets with eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Braeden Dozier added seven tackles, while Elijah Flowers-Goodloe recorded seven stops, a fumble recovery and an interception. Kevin Jacobs and Donte Zeno also came away with interceptions as Howard Payne picked off three passes and forced four turnovers.

East Texas Baptist was led by quarterback Jack Crawford, who threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns. Eric Stovall caught 10 passes for 208 yards and two scores, while Paul Woodard rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns.

With the victory, Howard Payne ends their season at 7-3 overall and 2-3 in ASC play, good for fourth place in the conference.