BROWNWOOD, Texas – A quick start from Howard Payne University led to East Texas Baptist University playing from behind the rest to the game as the dropped their second American Southwest Conference game, 33-16. HPU took a 13-0 lead on their first two possessions setting the tone from the beginning. ETBU is now 4-2 and 0-2 in the ASC and will host #6 Hardin-Simmons University next Saturday.
 
ETBU's offense finished with 312 yards with 282 in the air as Shai Markajani was 11-of-29 for 146 yards and one touchdown. Kobe Chambers led the team with 138 yards receiving on seven receptions and Paul Woodard had 52 yards on 12 rushes. On defense, Dominick Williams recorded nine tackles with 0.5 sacks. Logan Hudson also had nine tackles with five solo. Ramon Singleton, Jr., had seven tackles with one sack.
 
HPU took a 23-3 lead at the half scoring on four of their five possessions. Their first two possessions took a total of six plays and 2:07 to take a 13-0 lead. ETBU's defense stopped the Yellow Jackets on their third possession but they followed with their third touchdown of the day and a 20-0 lead. Mitchell White made a 31-yard field goal at 11:21 in the second quarter for the first points of the game but HPU followed with a field goal and a 23-3 lead at the half.
 
Halfway through the third quarter, Markajani found Chambers for a 41-yard touchdown pass to pull within 13 points, 23-10. Just before the third quarter ended, HPU added their fourth touchdown of the game making it 30-10. In the fourth, HPU made their second field goal extending their lead to 23 points, 33-10. Chambers caught his second touchdown of the day as Jaylen Spriggs found him for a 45-yard pass for the third ETBU score of the day, 33-18. HPU finished off their scoring with their third field goal making it 36-18.
 
ETBU hosts #6 Hardin-Simmons University on Sunday, October 18, at 1:00 p.m. in Ornelas Stadium.