NEWBERG, Oregon – The Howard Payne University defense kept George Fox University out of the endzone in a 17-3 Yellow Jacket victory over the Bruins Saturday evening at Stoffer Family Stadium.

The Yellow Jacket defense was stellar holding the Bruins to just 17 yards rushing and keeping them out of the endzone twice on the goal line.
Peyton Lowe and Kale Shaw led the HPU defensive unit with eight tackles each. Lowe would force a fumble. Kadarius Carr recorded a career-high four pass breakups. Jaden Elie Ty Shafer each recorded a sack for the Yellow Jackets.

Jordan Carroll got Howard Payne on the scoreboard first hauling in a 10-yard pass from Landon McKinney with 3:06 left in the first quarter after the team drove 64 yards in seven plays.

After George Fox got its only points in the third quarter on a 27-yard field goal, the Jackets scored twice in the fourth to secure the 17-3 final.

HPU’s Rider Davila connected on an 18-yard field goal with 9:17 left in the fourth to make the score 10-3. Later, running back Blessing Ngene ran it in from one yard out with :57 seconds left to secure the 17-3 final.

HPU QB Landon McKinney was 31 of 51 passing for 368 yards,with one TD and two interceptions. Javian Myles led the running attack with 16 carries for 54 yards. Carroll was the top receiver with eight catches for 121 yards and one touchdown. Gus Charles added eight catches for 77 yards.

The Jackets win their season opener for the third year in a row. Howard Payne will be at home next week, Sept. 9th versus Southwestern Assemblies of God University. It will be a 6:00 pm kickoff at Gordon Wood Stadium.