ABILENE – Howard Payne University fell 44-17 to Hardin-Simmons University on the road Friday night at Sheldon Stadium.

The 5th ranked Cowboys improved to 8-0 on the year and 4-0 in American Southwest Conference play, while the Yellow Jackets fell to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in conference matchups.

Zy Gravitt led Howard Payne’s passing attack with 203 yards through the air, tossing two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Kiante Stoker paced the Yellow Jackets rushing attack by accumulating 73 yards over the course of the game, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Jalen Davis also added seven yards on the ground.

Gus Charles reeled in five catches for 105 yards and one score.

Carson Padilla showed out for the Howard Payne defense, collecting 1.0 TFL and one sack. Justin Kay had five tackles and one forced fumble in the loss.

Defensively, Howard Payne held up fairly well against the Hardin-Simmons passing attack, holding the Cowboys to 177 yards through the air.

How It Happened

Howard Payne responded to an early 10-0 Hardin-Simmons lead with a second quarter field goal to narrow the deficit to 10-3.The Yellow Jackets responded with a touchdown after Hardin-Simmons increased its lead to 17-3 to make it a 17-10 game.

Hardin-Simmons scored to increase their lead to 30-10 before Howard Payne answered with 4:59 remaining in the fourth quarter and cut the lead to 30-17. Howard Payne didn’t score again in the game and Hardin-Simmons tacked on 14 more points to finish off the scoring.

Game Notes

» Hardin-Simmons outgained Howard Payne 437-270 in the contest.
» Howard Payne had their highest scoring quarter in the second period, when they put up 10 points.
» Howard Payne converted 3 of 11 third downs while Hardin-Simmons was successful on 7 of 14.
» Kale Shaw led the Yellow Jackets with 14 tackles.
» The Yellow Jackets racked up eight tackles for loss.
» Kyle Brown led the Cowboys passing attack, completing 13 of his 26 attempts for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
» Braylon Henry led the Hardin-Simmons rushing attack with 114 yards and three touchdowns.

The Yellow Jackets will be at home next week versus East Texas Baptist University at 1:00 pm.