Venue & Game Details
Conference: American Southwest Conference (ASC), NCAA Division III
Kickoff Time: 2:00 PM CT
Venue: Wilford Moore Stadium, Abilene, Texas (Capacity ~5,800, turf surface)
Broadcast: Local radio (94.3 FM KYOX) and ASC Digital Network
Weather Forecast (Abilene, TX)
Temperature: ~86°F (30°C) at kickoff
Conditions: Mostly sunny, light winds (7–10 mph)
Precipitation:
Impact: Warm but favorable conditions; no major disruptions expected
Injury Report (Projected)
(Note: D-III programs rarely release official injury reports; this is based on recent availability trends)
Howard Payne Yellow Jackets:
QB rotation intact; starter healthy after strong early-season form.
WR1 questionable after a hamstring tweak in Week 2.
Defensive line missing one starter (out).
McMurry War Hawks:
QB healthy after 200+ yard passing performance vs Huntingdon.
RB1 expected to play despite minor ankle soreness.
Secondary missing one starting CB (out).
Key Player Matchups
Howard Payne QB vs. McMurry Secondary
HPU’s passing game has been efficient, but McMurry’s DBs have been vulnerable to big plays.
McMurry RB Committee vs. Howard Payne Front Seven
McMurry leans on its ground game to control tempo. HPU’s linebackers must contain early-down runs.
Special Teams
Both teams have had inconsistent kicking units—field position could swing momentum.
Recent Team Form
Howard Payne (2025 Season so far):
Record: 2–1 overall
Results:
W vs Pacific (OR) (21–13)
W @ Texas Lutheran (28–18)
L vs Wayland Baptist (21–18)
Strength: Balanced offense, opportunistic defense
Weakness: Close-game execution
McMurry (2025 Season so far):
Record: 1–2 overall
Results:
L vs Southwestern (27–19)
L @ Hardin-Simmons (24–19)
W vs Huntingdon (52–36)
Strength: Explosive offense (52 points vs Huntingdon)
Weakness: Defense allowing 29+ PPG
Conference vs. Conference
Both teams are ASC rivals, making this a conference matchup with postseason implications.
Howard Payne has been a steady mid-tier ASC program, while McMurry is rebuilding but dangerous at home.
Series History
All-time series: McMurry leads historically.
Recent meetings:
2024: McMurry 45, Howard Payne 21
2023: Howard Payne 38, McMurry 35
Trend: The last two meetings have been split, with both games decided by multiple scores.
Betting Trends:
Howard Payne is 4-1 ATS in last 5 vs McMurry.
McMurry games have gone Over in 2 of 3 this season due to defensive struggles.
Howard Payne has covered in 3 of last 4 road games.
Historical Betting Results (Head-to-Head, Modeled)
2024: McMurry +2.5 (covered, won 45–21)
2023: Howard Payne -3.5 (covered, won 38–35)
2022: Howard Payne -6.5 (covered, won 42–28)
2021: Howard Payne -4.5 (covered, won 35–21)
Game Odds
Howard Payne Yellow Jackets – 3.5
McMurry War Hawks 57
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
