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BROWNWOOD - McMurry took advantage of eight Howard Payne turnovers and posted its second highest rushing total of the season to beat the Yellow Jackets 34-24 at Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood Saturday afternoon. Howard Payne threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles in the first quarter and McMurry took advantage by capitalizing with 10 points and never looked back.
The Yellow Jackets fumbled the opening kickoff for the first of four turnovers in the first quarter. McMurry lost two possessions in the first quarter as well with a Rashon Lewis interception and a fumbled snap. However, it was McMurry that struck first when Lewis found Dusty Thornhill for the longest passing touchdown of the season with a 64-yard score with 4:34 to go.
The reception and run after the catch put Thornhill second all-time on McMurry's career receiving yards list. The senior finished with three receptions and 87 yards giving him 2,090 yards for his career and he passed Reggie Sterns (2,025 yards; 1995-98) on the all-time list.
Josh Neaves added a 20-yard field goal with 2:13 remaining in the first quarter. Howard Payne got on the board with a 36-yard field goal from Jordan Bullard. However, McMurry responded with one of its finest offensive drives of the season marching 83 yards in 16 plays into a 30-mile south wind.
Lewis capped the 6:29 drive by sneaking the ball over the goal line for a 1-yard score. Neaves' extra point made the score 17-3, and neither team scored for the remainder of the half.
Tristan Randle scored on an 85-yard touchdown run on McMurry's second drive of the second half for the longest rushing touchdown of the season. Joe Alexander, who had an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries on the day ran in a Lovvorn fumble from 32-yards out to put McMurry up 31-3.
For the remainder of the contest, HPU would out-score McMurry 21-3. However, McMurry was able to keep the rally at bay for its second win of the season and its first win in the American Southwest Conference this season.
HPU out-gained McMurry on the day 369-348, however, it was the offensive miscues that kept the Yellow Jackets from taking advantage of its offensive production otherwise. Lovvorn finished with 263 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 23 of 45 passing. However, his four picks and HPU's four lost fumbles were the story for the Yellow Jackets.
Lewis finished 9 for 24 passing with 126 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. Randle finished with a career high 147 yards rushing to accompany his touchdown.
Defensively Alexander's performance stood out for McMurry but several had big plays. Andrew Wallace led with eight tackles and 1.5 for a loss. Trey Brown, Jamorian Wilkins and Daniel Griggs added interceptions to go along with Alexander's. Howard Payne's Landon Dyer was credited with 15 tackles on the day and Kasey Black had two of HPU's three interceptions.
McMurry will play host to Sul Ross State Saturday at Wilford Moore Stadium with a 7 p.m. kickoff. At 2-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play, McMurry will look to make a push for the .500 mark in both categories heading into the final three games of 2007.
