PLAINVIEW, Texas – The Howard Payne University football team hits the road for the second time this season, traveling to face Wayland Baptist University on Saturday, September 19. The Yellow Jackets enter 1-0 after a 49-0 victory over Pacific (OR) in Week 1 and a 59-15 home-opening exhibition win over Clutch City Prep.
THE ESSENTIALS
- WHO: Howard Payne (1-0) at Wayland Baptist (1-2)
- WHERE: Plainview, Texas | Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldog Stadium
- WHEN: Saturday, September 19 | 4:00 PM CT
WHERE TO FOLLOW
ALL-TIME AGAINST THE PIONEERS
- Howard Payne is 2-4 all time against Wayland Baptist, dating back to 2012.
- The Yellow Jackets fell at home in Week 3 of 2025 to the Pioneers, 21-18.
- HPU will look to snap a 3-game losing streak in the series. A win would be their first against WBU since 2014.
- Five of the six games between the two sides have been decided by just one possession.
HOWARD PAYNE TEAM STATS
- The Yellow Jacket offense has scored 14 touchdowns in the first two weeks of action, the most in the American Southwest Conference.
- Howard Payne also paces the ASC in passing yards, totaling 659 between four different quarterbacks.
- Against Clutch City in Week 2, the Howard Payne ground attack rushed for 273 yards, scoring four touchdowns.
- Defensively, the Yellow Jackets have forced three turnovers (one fumble recovery, two interceptions).
- The defensive line has brought down the opposing quarterback five times, including six QB hurries.
- The Howard Payne punting unit has pushed the opposition inside the five yard line three times in just four tries.
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR THE JACKETS
- Bryce Still has completed 72% of his passes for 512 yards and five touchdowns.
- Blessing Ngene leads the ground game with 165 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 7.2 yards per carry.
- Tight end Chance Hehman had a career day in Week 2 against Clutch City Prep, logging three total touchdowns on four catches for 110 yards.
- Ryan Campbell spearheads the secondary with two interceptions in as many weeks.
- Armani Franklin is the leading tackler for HPU with 15 with two tackles for loss.
WAYLAND BAPTIST TEAM STATS
- The Wayland Baptist passing attack currently boasts 702 yards with six touchdowns, completing passes at a 48% clip.
- The Pioneers' ground game has combined for 294 yards through three games, averaging 2.2 yards per carry.
- WBU's defense has logged four takeaways, including two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR THE PIONEERS
- Aidan Crawford (#9) leads the passing attack with 538 yards and 4 touchdowns, completing 47% of his passes.
- WBU's three-back committee is led by Omarion Dumas (#3), accredited with 81 yards on 23 carries. The sophomore has also recorded seven catches for 108 yards and a touchdown.
- Donte Hurt (#0) is Wayland Baptist's number one receiver with 11 catches for 143 yards, but Jamari Jackson leads the Pioneers with two touchdown receptions.
- Brayden Hamby (#23) is the player to watch on defense, leading the team with 39 total tackles while forcing two fumbles.
UP NEXT: Howard Payne will host Simpson College (IA) in Frisco, Texas, for the first regular season collegiate contest ever played in the Ford Center at the Star on Saturday, September 26. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. Central Time.
