PLAINVIEW, Texas – The Howard Payne defense picked off Wayland Baptist three times in a 27-21 road victory for the Yellow Jackets Saturday afternoon in non-conference play.
Howard Payne’s Jordan Shaw picked off Wayland’s Campuzano pass with 1:35 left in the game to secure the 27-21 non-conference win for the Yellow Jackets. The HPU defense held Wayland to just 80 yards rushing on 35 attempts.
Wayland scored on their second drive of the game, one play, a 36 yard TD pass with 12:07 remaining in the first.
The Jackets would score on the next possession when Richard Young found Cameron Wong for a 39 yard TD strike. The TD capped an eight play 68 yard drive for the Jackets.
Wayland gained the lead back with 4:16 left in the first with a 54 yard TD pass to make the game 14-7 Wayland.
Both offenses would stale out in the second quarter but the Jackets were able to capitalize off a Jason Disney interception at the HPU five yardline.
Disney returned the interception 78 yards to the Wayland 17 yardline in the closing minute of the half for a scoring opportunity. A HPU holding call forced the Jackets to just a 44 yard Joshua Martinez field goal with :27 second left in the first half. 14-10 Wayland at the half.
Howard Payne would take the lead with 5:25 left in the third on a 2 yard run by Richard Porche. It was a 10 play 75 yard drive for the Jackets that took 4:01 off the clock in the third.
HPU then on their next possession used a 36 yard field goal by Joshua Martinez to extend the Jacket lead to 20-14 with 14:52 left in the fourth quarter.
Wayland then took a 21-20 lead on a 32 yard TD pass with 11:59 left in the game.
The Jackets would answer back on their next drive as Richard Young hit Brandon Simpson coming out of the backfield who then rolled down the sideline for the 45 yard TD reception. 27-21 Jackets.
A fourth down stop and an interception by HPU safety Jordan Shaw with 1:35 left to play secured the victory for the Jackets.
Young was 19 for 40 passing, 221 yards, two TDs and one interception. Cameron Wong had three catches for 62 yards and a TD. Zarron Dove had 64 yards on 13 carries.
Jason Disney led the HPU defense with 12 tackles (nine solo), one for loss and added an interception. Adrian Hopkins followed with 11 tackles (seven solo).
Howard Payne is now 2-0 to start the season and Wayland Baptist falls to 1-2 overall. The Yellow Jackets will play next week at home versus Southwestern Assemblies of God, 1:00 pm kick-off Gordon Wood Stadium.
