BROWNWOOD, Texas – The Howard Payne University football team rushed for 281 yards in a 42-39 non-conference loss to George Fox University Saturday evening at Gordon Wood Stadium.

After a Javian Myles 3-yard TD run pulled the Yellow Jackets to within three, 42-39 with 2:07 left in the game, Howard Payne played stellar defense forcing a three and out from George Fox and punting the ball away.

With 1:01 left in the play, the Jackets got the ball back with an opportunity to tie or win the game. Unfortunately, HPU came up short and the Jackets fell 42-39.

Howard Payne rushed for 281 yards as a team led by Tauren Bradley with 20 carries for 115 yards followed by Billy Reagins with 93 yards on attempts.

HPU’s Landon McKinney was 25 of 42 passing for 249 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. McKinney also ran for 42 yards and two touchdowns.

Otis Lanier was the Jackets’ top receiver with 10 catches for 115 yards. Hunter Cheek and Jordan Carroll each caught TD passes in the game.

Anchoring an HPU defense that held GFU to just 76 yards rushing was KC Cornelious with seven tackles, five solo. Kyle Bell added five tackles and two pass breakups.

The Jackets led the Bruins in total offense 539 (281 rushing) to 429 (76 rushing) in the game.

Howard Payne is now 1-1 overall and George Fox stands at 2-0 overall. The Yellow Jackets will play next week against Hendrix College in Prosper, Texas at Children’s Health Stadium. It will be a 3:00 pm kickoff at the neutral site game.

(story and photo courtesy of  HPU Sports)