The Howard Payne University football team only managed 130 yards of total offense Saturday afternoon in a 50-3 loss to McMurry University.
The McMurry War Hawks racked up 600 yards of total offense, 484 of which was in the air. The Yellow Jackets got all of their 130 yards of total offense on the ground. Despite the score, the Jackets won the time of possession battle 31:32 to 28:28.
The Yellow Jackets sacked McMurry QB Jake Mullin three times in the opening half to keep the game close. 13-0 McMurry at the half After the break McMurry scored 37 second half points, 22 in the third quarter.
Howard Payne’s best opportunity to get in the endzone came on an Adrian Lighteard 68 yard run to the McMurry 8 yard line. The War Harks held and the Jackets had to settle for a Mitchell Bailey 29 yard field goal with 7:17 left in the third quarter. 21-3 McMurry.
The Jackets were led by Lighteard with 14 carries for 95 yards. Cote Schacherl had 10 punts for 485 yards (48.5 avg) with three inside the 20 yard line.
McMurry’s Mullin was 34 of 42 passing for 430 yards and four TDs with two interceptions. R.J. Long was the top War Hawk receiver with 10 catches for 153 yards and 2 TDs.
HPU linebacker Demetrius Cody led all tacklers for the second week in a row with 11 (10 solo). The Jacket defense also picked off three passes. Maurice Young had two and Eric Bunch had the other.
Howard Payne now stands at 1-4 overall and 1-2 in ASC play. McMurry improves to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in conference action.
The Jackets will make the short trip to Abilene next weekend to play Hardin-Simmons University. It will be a 1:00 pm kickoff.
