BROWNWOOD, Texas – A second half surge by the East Texas Baptist University came up shy of the upset over Howard Payne University, 24-14. ETBU was down 20-0 at the half before scoring 14 points in the third quarter pulling to within eight points before HPU scored late in the fourth to seal the game. ETBU is now 2-3 on the year and 1-1 in the American Southwest Conference.
 
ETBU finished with 358 yards of total offense as 304 yards were from the passing game. Cornelius Banks went 20-of-41 for 224 yards with one touchdown as Carlos Garibay was 3-of-7 for 80 yards. ETBU only had 54 yards rushing with five different players as Banks had a rushing touchdown. Tobias Jackson, Jr. led the team with three receptions for 86 yards and Devin Phillips recorded a receiving touchdown.
 
HPU's offense was averaging 44.3 points per game coming into the contest as ETBU's defense held them to just 26 points as two points came on a Tiger safety. The defense recorded two sacks with two break ups as Jatareon Robinson led with eight tackles. Jahkamian Carr and Joey Verret both had seven tackles. Carr and Elijah Sims each added a sack as Robert Williams had two break ups.
 
The first half was Howard Payne as they jumped out to a 20-0 lead scoring 14 points in the first quarter. ETBU's offense couldn't find any rhythm in the first half with four punts, a fumble, an interception, and a turnover on downs. ETBU was in HPU's territory four times in the first half down to the 25-yard line but couldn't convert or turned the ball over. HPU had seven possessions in the half but had two turnover on downs and two punts.
 
HPU took a 7-0 lead at 6:01 in the first and then made it 14-0 with 50 seconds left in the same quarter on a 39-yard pass. On ETBU's first possession of the second quarter, they moved from their own 42-yard line to HPU's 25-yard line but turned the ball over on downs. Three plays later, and a 70-yard pass in the mix, HPU made it 20-0 on a nine-yard pass for the large lead at the half.
 
ETBU's defense slowed down the HPU offense to start the third quarter as the Yellowjackets were stopped at mid-field. A HPU punt placed the ball at the ETBU one-yard line and on the next play they recorded a safety to go up, 22-0, at the 12:52 mark. HPU received the ball back after the safety punt but ETBU's defense forced a three-and-out as Zay Thomas returned the punt to the HPU 38-yard line. Three plays later, Banks rushed from 17-yards out for ETBU's first score of the game making it 22-7. ETBU's defense forced another three-and-out but their offense stalled on the next possession at the HPU eight-yard line as they were looking to pull within a touchdown. ETBU turned the ball over on downs giving it back to HPU.
 
The Yellowjackets took five minutes off the clock 50 yards to the ETBU 41-yard before punting it to Thomas again. Thomas took the return 37-yards into HPU territory at the Yellowjacket 48-yard line. Four plays later, Banks found Phillips from 15-yards out as ETBU was within eight points, 22-14. ETBU's defense came through holding HPU to midfield to give them the ball back at the ETBU 11-yard line. ETBU kept their momentum going and crossed over mid-field but turned the ball over on downs. Two plays later on two long passes from HPU, the Yellowjackets made it 28-14. ETBU tried to answer moving into HPU territory once again but an interception at the Yellowjacket 31-yard line ended another drive and threat.
 
Still trying to move the ball and gain momentum after a HPU three-and-out, ETBU had a pass across mid-field into HPU territory but fumbled the ball on the hit at the 26-yard line with 3:23 left to play. HPU ran out the clock after the turnover to hold onto the win.
 
ETBU will be back at home next Saturday hosting McMurry University at 1:00 p.m. in ASC play.