The Howard Payne University football team racked up over 600 yards of total offense on their way to a 32-7 victory over the Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lions at Gordon Wood Stadium Saturday evening.
Nine minutes into the game lightning moved into the Brownwood area causing a two and a half hour delay. After the game started back up, Southwestern Assemblies scored for on a 4-yard run by Jason Rice with 3:39 remaining in the first period.
The Yellow Jacket defense then stepped up holding SAGU to just 150 yards of total offense (88 rushing, 62 passing) and forced 3 turnovers in the game.
It was all Howard Payne after the delay with the Jackets scoring 32 unanswered points. Quarterback Zach Hubbard was 20 of 35 passing for 340 yards, 3 TDs, and 3 INTs.
HPU got started when Tyson Swanner caught a 16 yard pass from Hubbard with 1:46 remaining in the first half. Swanner led HPU with five catches for 80 yards. SAGU 7 – HPU 7
After the Jackets held SAGU, Hubbard scored on a 2 yard run capping 4 plays, 65 yard drive with just seconds left on the clock before the half (extra point failed). SAGU 7 – HPU 13
The Jackets added two more scores in the 3rd, a Walter Pam 26 yard reception from Hubbard with 8:15 on the clock and Cody Hambrick 42 yard TD catch with 7:03 on the clock. Pam also had 12 carries for 34 yards and Hambrick had 4 catches for 69 yards in the game. SAGU 7 – HPU 26
Howard Payne tacked on one more score when James Hopkins pulled in a 21 yard pass from Reid Golson with 7:37 left in the game. Golson rushed 44 yards and completed 7 of 8 passes for 123 yards. SAGU 7 – HPU 32 Final
Demetrius Cody led the HPU defense with 8 tackles, a pass breakup, and two forced fumbles. Linebacker Dustin McClure added 6 tackles. Jared Hudgins led SAGU with a game high 14 tackles.
The Jackets will play at Sul Ross State University in Alpine next Saturday at 1:00 pm.
