Howard Payne running back Zarron Dove would score the go ahead touchdown with 13:47 to play in the game to give the Yellow Jackets a 38-34 victory over visiting Wayland Baptist University Saturday afternoon.
Zarron Dove caught a 78-yard pass from Richard Young with 13:47 left in the fourth quarter to put the Jackets ahead 38-34. Dove received the pass just yards from the line of scrimmage and shock off an apparent tackle then streamed down the sideline for the 78-yard reception.
Wayland Baptist, who finished with 553 yards of total offense in the game, score with 13:31 left in the first quarter on a 64-yard run. A two-point conversion made the score 8-0.
The Jackets answered back on their next possession with a 1-yard TD pass from Young to Tristian Fuentes, his first of two TD receptions of the game.
Joshua Martinez would hit a 23-yard field goal with :36 second remaining in the first quarter to make the score 10-8 Howard Payne.
HPU scored three times in the second quarter to open up a 31-8 lead with 1:41 left in the half. A Joshua Eppler 10-yard interception return for a TD made it 17-8 HPU. Then a Zachary Alvarado 1-yard TD run, 24-8 Jackets. Finally, a second Fuentes TD reception, this time 78-yards from Young with 1:41 left in the second quarter.
Wayland would add another score on a 42-yard pass with :44 seconds remaining in the half, extra point failed, 31-14 Jackets at the break.
Wayland came out strong in the third scoring twice to pull within five but both extra point attempts failed, 31-26 HPU.
Wayland would take the lead on a 19-yard run with 14:41 remaining in the game, two-point conversion was good, 34-31 Wayland.
Young, who was 20-of-35 passing for 340 yards and two TDs, found Zarron Dove on the next HPU possession for the 78-yard TD and put the Jackets ahead for good 38-34 after the Martinez extra point with 13:47 left to play.
Jordan Shaw led the HPU defense with 11 tackles followed by Joshua Eppler with 10 and Victor Gonzales with nine. The Jackets defense sacked Wayland seven times in the game and held them to 0-for-5 on fourth down attempts.
HPU’s Dove finished with 56 yards rushing but added 115 receiving on five receptions. Joshua Eppler also had five punts for 212 yards a 42.4 average.
Wayland’s Roberson led with 213 yards on 22 carries for three TDs. QB Braden Hudson was 21-for-28 for 224 yards and one TD.
Howard Payne improves to 2-1 overall and Wayland falls to 0-3 on the year. The Jackets will have an open week then return to action on October 5th at 2:00 pm in a HPU Homecoming matchup with conference opponent Louisiana College.
