BROWNWOOD, Texas – Howard Payne QB Zachary Alvarado passed for 221 yards and two TDs to lead the Yellow Jackets to a 32-21 conference victory over Sul Ross State Saturday afternoon at Gordon Wood Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 13-0 lead after scoring on their first two possessions, a 21-yard Zarron Dove run, Joshua Martinez kick good, and a 5-yard TD reception by Tristian Fuentes from Zachary Alvarado, extra point blocked.
Alvarado then extended the Jacket lead to 19-0 connecting with Fuentes again this time a 27-yard TD reception with 12:51 left in the second. Sul Ross would block and return the extra point for 2-points to finally get on the scoreboard, 19-2 HPU.
Sul Ross then made the score 19-15 HPU at the half after scoring on a two-yard pass, extra point failed, and 45-yard pass.
Joshua Martinez scored all six of the Yellow Jackets points in the third quarter hitting field goals from 40 and 42 yards. It was 25-15 HPU heading into the fourth quarter.
Alvarado would give the Jackets a cushion when he rushed in from one yard out to bring the Howard Payne lead to 32-15. The TD capped a four play 46 yard drive taking 2:24 off the clock.
Sul Ross would score with just four seconds remaining in the game, extra point was blocked, to round out the scoring 32-21 Yellow Jackets.
Zachary Alvarado, in his first start of the season, was 18-for-26 passing for 221 yards and two TDs. Alvarado also ran for one on 10 carries for 51 yards. Zarron Dove led the HPU ground attack with 101 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown. It was his second 100+ yard game this season.
Tristian Fuentes would catch both of Zachary Alvarado’s TD passes to finish with 122 yards receiving on eight catches.
The HPU defense was led by Jason Disney with 13 tackles, five for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and one interception. Victor Gonzales followed with 12 tackles, three for loss and one sack. Josh Eppler led a HPU secondary that totaled 10 pass breakups on the day with four.
Howard Payne improves to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in conference play. Sul Ross State falls to 1-8 overall and 1-4 in ASC action. The Yellow Jackets will travel to Seguin, Texas next Saturday to play former ASC opponent Texas Lutheran University at 1:00 pm.
