hpu_football_logoNationally ranked Texas Lutheran used 373 rushing yards and 664 yards of total offense to defeat Howard Payne 54-27 Saturday afternoon at Gordon Wood Stadium.

Texas Lutheran’s Barrolle rushed for 288 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns to lead the Bulldog offense.

Texas Lutheran jumped out to a 20-0 lead with three minutes remaining in the first quarter on touchdown runs of one, three and 58 yards.

Howard Payne’s Richard Young would then find Colby Mica on a 27 yard TD strike with 1:33 remaining in the first. The drive took just four plays over 75 yards (Joshua Martinez extra point was blocked). Colby Mica finished with a game high 118 yards receiving on five catches and two TDs.

TLU then extended their lead with consecutive field goals from T. Brandenburg of 35 and 42 yards. 26-6 TLU

Colby Mica then grabbed his second TD reception of the day, this time a 29 yard pass from Young. The Joshua Martinez kick was good with 4:47 left in the first. 26-13 TLU.

Back to back TD passes and a 90 yard TD run for TLU would then push their lead to 47-13 with 7:45 left in the third quarter.

With 4:26 left in the third, Zarron Dove would run it in from 7 yards out (Joshua Martinez kick good). The 11 play, 81 yard drive took 3:14 off the clock. 47-20 TLU

At the start of the fourth, Young would throw his third interception of the day this time it went back 95 yards for a TD. 54-20 TLU

Caisson Montieth would give the Jackets one more score with 4:40 left in the game, a 15 yard run (Joshua Martinez kick good) capping a seven play, 36 yard drive. Final score 54-27 TLU

Young finished the game 24-for-48 passing for 342 yards two TDs and three INTs. Kevin Domingue added six catches for 79 yards for the Jackets. Zarron Dove had 35 yards on nine carries. The Jackets were held to their lowest rushing totals this season with just 96 yards on 31 carries.

Defensively for the Jackets, Xavier McFalls had 11 tackles, seven solo. Gage Smith followed with nine.

Howard Payne is now 3-2 overall and Texas Lutheran stands at 5-0 on the year. The Yellow Jackets will have an open date next weekend and will be back in action on October 18th at East Texas Baptist University starting at 6:00 pm.