HPU Uses Big Second Quarter to Top 'Roos

BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Austin College football team led Howard Payne 8-7 early in the second quarter, but the Jackets scored 28 unanswered in the frame to go on top 35-8 at half, and the 'Roos were unable to mount a comeback in a 35-11 defeat on Saturday afternoon.

Austin College forced a safety when HPU was called for holding in their own endzone on the first drive of the game to put the 'Roos up 2-0, but Howard Payne went on top 7-2 on a short touchdown run by Javian Myles with 6:25 left in the first quarter. John Aldridge drilled a 41-yard field goal three and a half minutes later to cut it to a 7-5 game, and a 19-yard field goal by Aldridge early in the second quarter put Austin College on top 8-7. 

The Jackets went on top 14-8 on the next Austin College possession, as KJ Kelley picked off Jaylon Talton's pass and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown, and HPU would tack on another touchdown with 3:47 left to make it a 21-8 game. A fumble on the ensuing kickoff gave the ball back to Howard Payne, and the Jackets would find the endzone again from five yards out to make it 28-7. Howard Payne added one final touchdown in the half, with Landon McKinney tossing an 18-yard score to Jordan Carroll with 11 seconds left before the break to make it 35-8. 

Austin College shut the Jackets down offensively in the second half, holding HPU scoreless over the final 30 minutes, but Austin College was only able to add three more points on a 26-yard field goal by Aldridge, his third make of the game, with 1:43 left to play in the fourth quarter. 

Talton led the 'Roos offensively, completing 15-of-35 passes for 181 yards and adding a game-high 66 rushing yards. Colin Mushinski caught five passes for 77 yards, and Brady Dygert recorded 15 tackles while Pablo Cantu had 12 and Colton Gerken added 10. McKinney completed 34-of-53 passes for 385 yards and three scores, while the 'Roos held HPU to just nine yards on 28 rushing attempts.