Howard Payne University football reports 133 players on the first day of practice under new head coach Kevin Bachtel.

Howard Payne head football coach, Kevin Bachtel, announced that 133 players reported for fall workouts this week. The 2023 edition of the Yellow Jackets includes 59 returners, 14 transfers, and 60 freshmen.

“We showed a lot of enthusiasm and got after it,” said head coach Kevin Bachtel. “Even though the first practice was really hot, I was pleased with the energy and the way they guys responded to what we were asking them to do.”

Kevin Bachtel served as the Yellow Jackets’ defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the past three seasons before taking the reins as the head coach in December of 2022.

The Yellow Jackets finished third in the American Southwest Conference in 2022 with a 6-2 league record and a 7-3 overall record.

Howard Payne will start the 2023 season on the road in Newberg, Ore at George Fox University on Saturday, September 2nd. It will be a 4:00 pm PST (6pm CST) kickoff. You can find links to the live video, stats, and audio at HPUsports.com or listen locally at 94.3 FM KYOX.