The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets set a single-game record with 769 yards of total offense a week ago and turned in their best defensive effort of 2022 in allowing just one touchdown and one field goal. Now that the Yellow Jackets’ 67-10 triumph over Hendrix is in the rear-view mirror, the Yellow Jackets’ focus shifts back to American Southwest Conference action as the East Texas Baptist Tigers invade Gordon Wood Stadium at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Briefly reflecting on the Howard Payne (2-1, 1-0) win last week, second-year head coach Jason Bachtel said, “It was a great way to respond and rebound after George Fox, which was kind of a letdown inside of our building. It was a great response by our kids, who had a great week, and they came through from a physical standpoint on the field. Any time you can set new school records it’s always a great day, but I was really tickled pink at how the defense responded. It was a great non-conference win, now we’re back into conference play and we have to be on our ‘A’ game every day now.”

The Yellow Jackets enter the contest averaging 639 yards per game – the most of any team in any NCAA division – to go along with 55 points. HPU is generating 383 yards through the air and 256 on the ground and is coming off a staggering 375 rushing yards against Hendrix.

“A lot of people look at our offense and think it’s pass happy, pass No. 1, but it’s quite the opposite,” Bachtel said. “We want to be run first, pass second, but in recent ball games prior to the last two we’ve had to be more pass heavy than run heavy. The offensive line and the running back corps have played really, really well the last two ball games. When you start looking at all the offensive weapons we have, whether it’s quarterback or receiver or running back, I think we have the potential to be really hard to defend, so you have to pick your poison. Hendrix came out and played us completely different than any other opponent, so our kids were able to expose that part of it. When you give us a five-man box you have to be able to run it, and we were able to run it.”

The ground game is sparked by Javian Myles (229 yards, 5 TDs), Tauren Bradley (195 yards, TD), Billy Reagins (181 yards, 3 TDs), and Stephen Willis (96 yards, TD).

Landon McKinney has completed 58 of 92 passes for 979 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions, while rushing for 33 yards and two scores.

Leading receivers include Otis Lanier (16-167, TD), Hunter Cheek (9-285, 4 TDs), Jordan Carroll (8-230, 2 TDs), and Samuel Sims (7-67, TD).

East Texas Baptist (1-1, 1-0) – which defeated McMurry, 28-7, in its ASC opener last week after falling to Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 52-13, in its first game – allows 30 points and 374 yards – 160 passing and 114 rushing – per game with four takeaways, all interceptions.

“Their strong suit matches up with our strong suit – our offense against their defense,” Bachtel said. “They’re really good defensively. This may be one of the best defensive lines we see all year long and we thought George Fox’s was really good.”

Leading the charge defensively are Joey Johnson (12 tackles 4 for loss), Jahkamian Carr (9 tackles), Demondre Williams (9 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 interception), and Trint Scott (6 tackles, 2 interceptions).

Howard Payne’s defense flipped the script from the first two games of the season, which is similar to what occurred last year when the Yellow Jackets met Hendrix.

“The No. 1 thing that has been the biggest concern is our secondary play,” Bachtel said. “Our secondary really stepped it up, they had a great week last week and the production they had in practice showed up on the field. What the stat line doesn’t show you is we had four opportunities for interceptions, and we dropped all four. Those are key momentum swingers, even the attempt and having the ball in their hands is huge. The other key thing that you don’t see, but it’s glaring in my eyes, is we were better on third downs. We were getting off the field on third downs instead of letting them extend a drive. Those are the major things that stand out right now.”

The Yellow Jackets are still allowing 33 points and 380 yards – 255 rushing and 125 passing – per game with one takeaway.

Defensive standouts include Kyle Bell (20 tackles, 1.5 for loss), Jarett Brown (18 tackles, 1 for loss), K.C. Cornelious (15 tackles), Peyton Lowe (14 tackles), Jessie Paris (14 tackles), James Jakubowski (11 tackles, 1 for loss), Jaden Elie (10 tackles, 3.5 for loss).

Meanwhile, the Tiger offense produces just 21 points and 270 yards – 159 on the ground and 111 through the air – with three turnovers.

Alex Child (14 of 24 for 137 yards, 2 INTs) and Cornelious Banks (14 of 27 for 77 yards, 1 TD) have split time at quarterback, Melek Hamilton (165 yards, TD) is the leading rusher, and receiving threats include Kaleb O’Bryant (7-105), Joshua Whitmore (4-43), Criston Williams (3-35), and Cade Fant (2-17, TD).

“Offensively, it’s hard to say because you look at them and they’ve done some things, but it’s really been stagnant,” Bachtel said. “They have the potential to put it together, we just need them to hold off for one more week. They’re playing a freshman quarterback, so we have to be able to put some pressure on him, we have to be able to rattle him a little bit. They return their whole offensive line from last year, so they’re good up front, they have some play makers at receiver and a heck of a back. They have some pieces, they have some tools, so we have to be ready to play.”