Howard Payne University is bringing a high-powered offense and an unbeaten record back to Brownwood after the Yellow Jackets defeated Simpson College 52-28 Saturday at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco.
The victory featured 554 yards of total offense, eight touchdowns, two forced-and-recovered fumbles and more than 33 minutes of possession. The source headline and standings list Howard Payne at 4-0, while the game account says the Yellow Jackets improved to 3-0, creating a record discrepancy in the published material.
Passing game drives Yellow Jackets
Quarterback Bryce Still completed 24 of 32 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns. Howard Payne converted 10 of 14 third-down opportunities and recorded 25 first downs while outgaining Simpson 554-405.
Still opened the scoring with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Ellis Myers. Simpson briefly took a 14-10 lead in the second quarter, but Deuce Martin immediately changed the momentum by returning the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown.
JD Mays added a 2-yard touchdown run with 13 seconds left before halftime, sending Howard Payne into the break with a 24-14 advantage. Simpson cut the margin to 24-21 early in the third quarter, but Still answered with touchdown passes to Blessing Ngene from 42 yards and Preztynn Harrison from 14 yards to make it 38-21 entering the fourth quarter.
Defense seals 24-point win
After one of Howard Payne’s two forced fumbles, the Yellow Jackets drove 90 yards and finished with Ngene’s 1-yard touchdown run. Davyon Mapps later scored on a 3-yard run to close out the 24-point victory.
Martin led Howard Payne with five catches for 104 yards. Myers had four receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown, Harrison caught four passes for 63 yards and a score, and Ngene finished with 69 receiving yards and two total touchdowns.
Simpson quarterback Jayden Thoreson threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns, while Noah Cracraft had nine receptions for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Donte Zeno and Braeden Dozier recovered Howard Payne’s fumbles, with Ryan Campbell and Armani Franklin credited with forcing them.
Homecoming game set for Brownwood
Howard Payne will return to Brownwood for Homecoming weekend Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Yellow Jackets host Nelson University at Gordon Wood Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central Time.
The game will be Howard Payne’s next opportunity to build on its strong start in front of its home crowd after the Frisco victory drew 2,178 spectators.