The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets wrap up the home portion of their 2024 football schedule at 1 p.m. Saturday at Gordon Wood Stadium as they take part in the second of three American Southwest Conference rematches against the East Texas Baptist Tigers.

The Yellow Jackets’ first rematch came this past Friday as Howard Payne (2-6, 0-4) – which lost its season opener, 38-6, to Hardin-Simmons – dropped a 44-17 road decision to the Cowboys, though HPU trailed just 17-10 heading into the fourth quarter.

“I’m super proud of how we played,” said HPU second-year head coach Kevin Bachtel. “We really played pretty well during that stretch of the first three quarters. The biggest turning point is when they lost their running back. They picked up steam and decided they were going to play for him and picked it up a gear and we didn’t. That was the biggest difference. We didn’t get it done, but they’re No. 3 in the country right now.”

In the first meeting at East Texas Baptist (5-3, 1-3), the Yellow Jackets fell 42-33 but outgained the Tigers 442-380 in total yardage. However, ETBU blocked a Howard Payne punt for a touchdown and also converted on a fake punt that eventually led to a score, and those 14 points determined the outcome.

“We can’t give up a big special teams play that makes a difference,” Bachtel said. “We have to cover punts and kicks well, they have a dangerous returner. Last time we played them special teams mistakes made the difference and we hit that hard this week.”

Heading into Saturday’s contest, Howard Payne’s offense produces 22 points and 340 yards – 274 passing and 66 rushing – per outing, with 15 turnovers.

Quarterback Zy Gravitt has completed 122 of 216 passes for 1,878 yards with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while leading receiving threats include Gus Charles (40-783, 3 TDs), Jackson Meller (17-332, 3 TDs), Mateo Hernandez (12-220, TD), Ellis Myers (11-179, 2 TDs), Kristopher Creel (11-129) and Klyderion Campbell (8-103, 2 TDs). Top ground gainers are Blessing Ngene (250 rushing yards, 2 TDs) and Kiante Stoker (187 rushing yards, 3 TDs).

Defensively, the Yellow Jackets are yielding 35 points and 394 yards – 219 passing and 175 rushing – per contest, with eight takeaways.

Leading the charge are reigning ASC Defensive Player of the Week Kale Shaw (54 tackles, 2.5 for loss,), Jacob Korrodi (44 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception), Peyton Lowe (43 tackles, 4 for loss, 1 sack), KC Cornelius (36 tackles, 4 for loss, 1 interception), and Kadarius Carr (30 tackles).

Meanwhile, ETBU is averaging 39 points and 462 yards – 258 through the air and 204 on the ground – per game, with just eight turnovers and no interceptions.

The Tigers are led by the precision of quarterback Kaden Brown (130 of 192 for 1,722 yards, 18 TDs, 0 INTs), while Paul Woodard (665 rushing yards, 10 TDs) and Hymond Drinkard (351 rushing yards, 4 TDs; 19-159, TD receiving) anchor the ground game and receiving threats include Zay Thomas (32-578, 2 TDs), Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox (30-521, 9 TDs), and Chase Walker (17-165, 3 TDs).

Defensively, ETBU surrenders 27 points and 344 yards – 193 passing and 151 rushing – per outing, with 17 takeaways, putting them at +9 in the turnover margin for the season.

Leading tacklers include Keewan Grismore (62 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception), Bron Melvin (55 tackles, 4 for loss. 0.5 sacks, 1 interception), Jahkamian Carr (37 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks), Dominick Williams (26 tackles, 2 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception), and Travis Mason (25 tackles).

Regarding the keys to an HPU victory, Bachtel said, “We’re going to have to be very consistent and not turn the ball over. We turned the ball over in crucial times last week and we hadn’t done that a ton this year, but we’re not getting turnovers, either. We also have to control their quarterback. He’s really good, he can put the ball wherever he wants when he wants.”

A total of 22 Yellow Jacket seniors will recognized for Senior Day in Saturday’s home finale.

“All but two of those guys have been here their whole career, which I feel is a testament to where we are program-wise,” Bachtel said.