Howard Payne quarterback Thomas Head accounted for all four of the HPU touchdowns as the Yellow Jackets pick up their first win of the season 27-14 over Mississippi College.
Thomas Head was 13 of 25 passing for 135 yards and two TDs. Head also scored two rushing TDs on 15 attempts for 83 total yards.
After MC scored on their second drive of the game, the Jackets forced a fumble in MC territory and scored on a Head nine yard run. With the short field the drive was six plays over 33 yards.
MC jumped ahead in the second quarter on a four yard run with 2:03 left to play in the first half. After a 49 yard kick return by Karl Stewart, the Jackets used the remaining two minutes in the half to score in six plays. Thomas Head threw his first TD pass of the day, a 14 yard pass to Astin Murray. It was Murray’s first TD reception of the year.
The Jackets broke the 14-14 tie on a one yard run by Thomas Head with 5:15 to play in the third. The TD was the first third quarter TD by the Jackets this season.
Leading 21-14, the Jackets added an insurance score when Head’s pass found Tristan Fuentes for a 46 The Joshua Martinez extra point was no good and the Jackets led 27-14 with 9:17 left to play.
Adrian Lighteard had 19 carries for 79 yards and Astin Murray led the HPU receiving crew with four catches for 33 yards and the TD.
Bo Ross led the Yellow Jacket defense with nine tackles (6 solo) and three sacks. Xavier McFalls and J.D. King each added eight tackles.
The Jackets improve to 1-5 overall and 1-2 in ASC play. Mississippi College falls to 1-5 overall and 0-3 in conference.
Howard Payne will travel to Marshall, Texas to play East Texas Baptist University next week. It will be a 1:00 pm kickoff.
