The Howard Payne University football team battled back from an early 14-point deficit to take a halftime lead, but #6 Hardin-Simmons scored twice in the fourth quarter to hand the Yellow Jackets a 23-17 setback Saturday afternoon at Gordon Wood Stadium.

The Cowboys opened the contest with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns to take a 14-0 advantage.

Ty Thompson connected with Harison Brockway for an 18-yard touchdown before Terrence Scott added a 2-yard rushing score to give Hardin-Simmons the early lead.