ALPINE – The month off proved to be worth the wait as the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets earned their first victory of the Jason Bachtel coaching era Saturday with a 53-34 road triumph over the Sul Ross Lobos.

Not having played due to winter weather and a bye week since a season-opening 39-38 loss to Texas Lutheran at Gordon Wood Stadium on Feb. 6, the Yellow Jackets (1-1) rallied from a 21-9 deficit by scoring 36 unanswered points against Sul Ross (0-3).

D3football.com National Team of the Week member Jake Parker hauled three touchdown passes of 50 yards or more and running back Billy Reagins scored three touchdowns, all in the red zone, for the Jackets. 

The Yellow Jackets visit Hardin-Simmons (2-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 13, a 33-14 winner over Texas Lutheran Saturday.