The Howard Payne football team allowed 40 first half points as the #2 nationally ranked Cru of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor downed the Yellow Jackets 68-6 Saturday afternoon at Gordon Wood Stadium.

The Yellow Jackets were unable to stop the high powered UMHB offense. The Cru scored 40 first half points on five touchdowns, a field goal and a safety. Leading 40-0 at the half, UMHB added three more touchdowns before the Jackets would score. Howard Payne got their only score of the game with 4:42 left in the fourth quarter when Joseph Bell scored from one yard out. The TD was set up by a muffed punt by UMHB, it was their second muff of the game.

In the first half a Mitchell Bailey 39 yard field goal attempt was blocked and later Thomas Head had a pass picked off in the endzone.  Head was 16 of 23 passing for 68 yards with the one interception.  Adrian Lighteard had 12 carries for 100 yards, his third 100 yard game of the season.

Victor Gonzales led the HPU defense with a game high 13 tackles and Bo Ross followed with 10 tackles. Gonzales also had five kickoff returns for 149 yards and a long of 45 yards.  Josh Eppler had 8 punts for 311 yards (38.9), a long of 46 yards. He also had six tackles playing safety for the Jackets.

The Jackets were held to just 117 total yards of offense while Mary Hardin-Baylor racked up 550 yards of total offense. HPU had 79 yards passing and UMHB had 350 yards on the ground.

Howard Payne is now 1-7 overall and 1-4 in conference, UMHB stands at 8-0 overall and 5-0 in conference.

The Yellow Jackets will travel to Alpine, Texas to play Sul Ross State next Saturday at 1:00 pm.