By Manny Gonzalez | The M.V. Report September 27, 2026 | Frisco, Texas
FRISCO, Texas — Howard Payne University made its trip to The Star one to remember.
Playing under the lights of the Ford Center in Frisco, the Yellow Jackets defeated Simpson College 52–28 Saturday afternoon in the first meeting between the two programs.
The matchup also carried some history with it. Howard Payne became the first college football program to host a regular-season game inside the Ford Center at The Star, the indoor practice facility of the Dallas Cowboys.
And once the football started, the Yellow Jackets gave the crowd plenty to watch.
Howard Payne piled up 554 yards of total offense, including 438 yards through the air, while converting 10 of 14 third-down opportunities. Quarterback Bryce Still led the offensive explosion, completing 24 of 32 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns.
A FAST START — AND AN IMMEDIATE ANSWER
Howard Payne wasted little time making its presence felt.
Still connected with Ellis Myers for a 39-yard touchdown, putting the Yellow Jackets on the board first and giving Howard Payne an early 7–0 advantage.
But Simpson responded almost immediately.
Storm quarterback Jayden Thoreson found Noah Cracraft for a massive 79-yard touchdown, erasing Howard Payne's early advantage and tying the game at seven.
The early exchange set the tone. Both offenses had shown they were capable of producing explosive plays, and neither defense could afford many mistakes.
Howard Payne moved back in front with a field goal, but Simpson eventually produced its first—and only—lead of the afternoon when Thoreson connected with Casey Godbout for a 37-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Simpson led 14–10.
It wouldn't last long.
THE PLAY THAT CHANGED THE MOMENTUM
On the ensuing kickoff, Deuce Martin took matters into his own hands.
Martin fielded the kick and exploded down the field for a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown, immediately answering Simpson's score and putting Howard Payne back in front, 17–14.
In a game filled with big offensive plays, Martin's return was one of the afternoon's defining moments.
Simpson had just taken the lead and appeared to have captured momentum. Seconds later, Howard Payne had it right back.
The Yellow Jackets weren't finished.
With only 13 seconds remaining before halftime, running back J.D. Mays punched the ball into the end zone from two yards out.
Instead of entering halftime separated by only three points, Howard Payne suddenly carried a 24–14 advantage into the locker room.
SIMPSON REFUSES TO GO AWAY
The Storm came out of halftime needing an answer and found one quickly.
Once again, it was the Thoreson-to-Cracraft connection.
The pair struck for a 61-yard touchdown, cutting Howard Payne's advantage to just three points at 24–21.
Cracraft proved to be one of the biggest challenges for the Yellow Jackets defense all afternoon. He eventually finished with nine receptions for 236 yards and three touchdowns, while Thoreson threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns.
For a moment, the game was wide open again.
Howard Payne responded exactly the way it had throughout the afternoon—with another explosive play.
Still connected with Blessing Ngene for a 42-yard touchdown, restoring some breathing room for the Yellow Jackets.
Later in the third quarter, Still struck again, finding Preztynn Harrison for a 14-yard touchdown.
Just like that, a three-point game had become a 38–21 Howard Payne advantage entering the fourth quarter.
THE DEFENSE SLAMS THE DOOR
Howard Payne's offense generated most of the eye-catching numbers, but its defense helped finish the job.
The Yellow Jackets forced and recovered two Simpson fumbles during the game.
Ryan Campbell and Armani Franklin were credited with forcing fumbles, while Donte Zeno and Braeden Dozier came away with the recoveries.
One of those turnovers helped set up a 90-yard Howard Payne scoring drive in the fourth quarter.
Ngene finished the possession with a one-yard rushing touchdown, giving him his second score of the game after his earlier 42-yard touchdown reception.
With Howard Payne firmly in control, Davyon Mapps added a three-yard rushing touchdown in the closing minutes.
The Yellow Jackets had turned what was once a 24–21 battle into a convincing 52–28 victory.
STILL PUTS ON A SHOW IN FRISCO
The story of Howard Payne's offense started with Bryce Still.
The Yellow Jackets quarterback distributed the football to eight different receivers while producing one of his biggest performances of the season.
Still's final line: 24-of-32 passing, 438 yards and three touchdowns.
Deuce Martin led Howard Payne's receivers with five catches for 104 yards, adding to his huge afternoon after the 98-yard kickoff return.
Ellis Myers finished with four catches for 86 yards and a touchdown, while Preztynn Harrison recorded four receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown.
Blessing Ngene contributed 69 receiving yards, a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown.
The balance made Howard Payne difficult to defend. Simpson couldn't simply take away one receiver and expect the passing game to disappear.
Still repeatedly found another option.
BY THE NUMBERS
FINAL: Howard Payne 52, Simpson College 28
Howard Payne finished with 554 total yards, compared with Simpson's 405. The Yellow Jackets recorded 25 first downs, converted 10 of their 14 third downs and controlled possession for more than 33 minutes.
Bryce Still — HPU: 24/32, 438 passing yards, 3 TD Deuce Martin — HPU: 5 receptions, 104 yards; 98-yard kickoff return TD Ellis Myers — HPU: 4 receptions, 86 yards, TD Preztynn Harrison — HPU: 4 receptions, 63 yards, TD Blessing Ngene — HPU: 69 receiving yards, receiving TD, rushing TD Jayden Thoreson — Simpson: 338 passing yards, 4 TD Noah Cracraft — Simpson: 9 receptions, 236 yards, 3 TD
Howard Payne also forced two fumbles and recovered both.
MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER WIN
Saturday's game was different from the typical Division III matchup.
Howard Payne and Simpson had never previously met, and the Yellow Jackets had the opportunity to bring their program into one of the most recognizable football facilities in North Texas.
The announced attendance was 2,178, giving fans from both Texas and Iowa the opportunity to watch their programs compete on the same field used as the Dallas Cowboys' headquarters and practice facility.
Howard Payne made the most of the stage.
The Yellow Jackets scored through the air, on the ground and on special teams. When Simpson pulled within three points in the third quarter, Howard Payne responded with 28 additional points to close out the game.
The final score told the story: Howard Payne 52, Simpson 28.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Howard Payne now turns its attention back home.
The Yellow Jackets return to Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood on Saturday, October 3, where they are scheduled to face Nelson University for Homecoming.
After putting up 52 points on a unique stage in Frisco, Howard Payne will look to carry that momentum back to Brownwood.
For Simpson, the Storm return to Iowa and are scheduled to begin American Rivers Conference play on the road against Buena Vista University on October 3.
For one Saturday afternoon in Frisco, though, the spotlight belonged to the Yellow Jackets.
And under the lights at The Star, Howard Payne delivered.
FINAL — HOWARD PAYNE 52, SIMPSON COLLEGE 28
Story by Manny Gonzalez | The M.V. Report Photos by Manny Gonzalez / Manny's Visuals
