BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football team used a fast start and a strong defensive performance to earn a 33-10 victory over Howard Payne University Saturday afternoon at Crusader Stadium. The win improved the Cru to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in American Southwest Conference action.
UMHB opened the scoring with a 26-yard field goal from
Dax Dunham at the 10:59 mark of the first quarter. The Cru added to its lead later in the frame when
Carson Horton connected with
Will McClintock for a 16-yard touchdown pass. UMHB's defense then capitalized on a Howard Payne fumble, as
Joey Johnson recovered the ball and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown to give the Cru a 16-0 advantage.
The Cru continued to build its lead in the second quarter. Horton found B.J. Stewart for a 23-yard touchdown pass with 3:14 remaining in the half, extending UMHB's advantage to 23-0. Dunham added a 33-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Cru into halftime with a 26-0 lead.
UMHB extended the lead in the third quarter as Horton and Stewart connected again for a 14-yard touchdown pass with 2:03 remaining in the frame. Howard Payne got on the scoreboard with a 37-yard field goal earlier in the quarter, but the Cru maintained a 33-3 lead heading into the final period. The Yellow Jackets added a late touchdown in the fourth quarter to account for the final margin.
Horton led the Cru through the air, completing 18 of 23 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Stewart hauled in four receptions for 53 yards and two touchdowns, while McClintock added three catches for 49 yards and a score. Dunham connected on both of his field-goal attempts.
The Cru defense held Howard Payne to 132 yards of total offense and recorded five sacks. Johnson led UMHB with 10 tackles and added the fumble-recovery touchdown.
Gavin Brzezinski added four tackles while
Thony Tshitenge and
Braden Eberwine each added two tackles for loss. The defense also forced two fumbles and intercepted one pass, helping limit the Yellow Jackets to just 22 rushing yards.
UMHB finished with 263 yards of total offense and converted seven of 13 third-down attempts. The Cru also held the ball for 31:32 while limiting Howard Payne to nine first downs.
The Cru returns to action Saturday, October 17, traveling to face Texas Wesleyan University in a 1 p.m. contest in Crowley, Texas.
