Joshua Martinez’s 47-yard field goal attempt to tie the game would end Howard Payne’s late game comeback in a 42-39 loss to Louisiana College Saturday afternoon in the Yellow Jackets conference opener.
The Yellow Jackets used a 22-point third quarter to pull within three, 35-32. Louisiana College added another touchdown with 11:32 to play in the fourth to extend their lead back to 10, 42-32.
On the Jackets next possession, Astin Murray would score on a 6-yard pass from Richard Young, his third TD pass of the evening. The touchdown with 7:11 left capped a 16-play 87-yard drive for the Jackets. 42-39 LC.
After the HPU defense forced a LC turnover on downs in HPU territory, the Jackets would have 2:33 left to put together a game winning drive.
The Jackets would drive down to the LC 11-yard line. The Wildcats then sacked Young for a 16-yard loss and an additional penalty would place the HPU on the LC 32-yard line. Zarron Dove, who finished with 69-yards rushing and 45 receiving, ran for two yards to setup the Martinez field goal to tie the game.
The Jackets were outscored 14-3 in the first quarter and matched the Wildcats 7-7 in the second for a 21-10 halftime score.
LC opened up a 35-10 lead after scoring twice in the opening minutes of the third quarter. The Jackets would then score 22 straight points to pull within three, 35-32.
Chase Burns would score on a one-yard run with 2:49 remaining in the third. Setup by an interception by HPU safety Josh Eppler, Young connected with Coby Mica for a 10-yard TD reception on the next play for the Jackets second score of the quarter. A Tristian Fuentes two-point conversion was good, 35-25 LC.
Then HPU would recover a LC fumble on the kickoff allowing the Jackets another opportunity to score. Young would then find Dove in the flats who then broke into the endzone to bring the Jackets to within three, 35-32 with 22 seconds left in the third.
HPU’s Richard Young was 37-for-56 passing for 309 yards, three TDs and one interception. WR Colby Mica had nine receptions for 113 yards with one TD.
Jordan Shaw finished with 13 tackles one for loss and one fumble recovery. Josh Eppler and Adrian Hopkins each added nine tackles. Hopkins recorded the Jackets only sack and Eppler had four punts for 165 yards, a 41.2 average.
The Jackets now stand at 2-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play. LC is now 3-1 overall and 1-0 in ASC action. Howard Payne will be at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene next Saturday. It will be a 1:30 kickoff.
