Venue & Logistics
Venue: Gordon Wood Stadium, Brownwood, Texas (home of Howard Payne)
Kickoff Time: 4:00 PM CT
Competition: NCAA Division III / NAIA crossover non-conference
Weather Forecast (Brownwood, TX)
Conditions: Sunny, hot afternoon
Temperature: 89°F (32°C) at kickoff, cooling to 80°F (27°C) by the fourth quarter
Winds: 8–12 mph from the south
Precipitation:
Impact: Heat could test depth and conditioning, especially for Wayland traveling into central Texas
Injury Report
Wayland Baptist Pioneers:
QB1 (shoulder soreness) – Probable
RB2 (ankle) – Questionable
LB1 (hamstring) – Out
Howard Payne Yellow Jackets:
WR2 (groin) – Game-time decision
DB1 (concussion protocol) – Out
OL starter (knee) – Probable
Key Player Matchups
Wayland QB1 vs. Howard Payne Secondary – Pioneers’ passing game has been inconsistent; Yellow Jackets’ DBs must capitalize on turnover chances.
Howard Payne RB Committee vs. Wayland Front Seven – Yellow Jackets’ ground game is their offensive anchor; Wayland must win the line of scrimmage.
WR1 (Wayland) vs. Howard Payne Corners – With WR2 questionable, WR1 will be the focal point; HPU must double him to avoid explosive plays.
Special Teams: Both squads have inconsistent kicking games; field position could be decisive.
Recent Team Form (2025 Season to Date)
Wayland Baptist Pioneers (0-2):
L vs. Sul Ross State 52-51 (Sep. 6)
L vs. Hardin-Simmons 79-14 (Sep. 13)
Offense averaging 24 points per game, but defense allowing 52.0.
Howard Payne Yellow Jackets (2-0):
W vs. Pacific Boxers 21-13 (Sep. 5)
W vs. Texas Lutheran 28-18 (Sep. 13, 2025)
Balanced attack; averaging 18.2 points per game, allowing 33.5.
Series History
All-Time Meetings: First official meeting between Wayland Baptist and Howard Payne
Context: Both programs are rebuilding and looking for momentum; this is a rare NAIA vs. DIII Texas matchup.
Betting Trends
Wayland Baptist is 0-5 ATS in last 5 road games.
Howard Payne is 3-2 ATS in last 5 home games.
The Over has hit in 4 of Wayland’s last 5 games due to defensive struggles.
Howard Payne is 2-0 straight up at home this season.
Historical Betting Results
2025 (Wayland): Lost 79-14 vs. Hardin-Simmons → No Cover, Over
2025 (Howard Payne): Won 28-18 vs. Texas Lutheran → Cover, Under
2024 (Howard Payne): Lost 63-7 vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor → No Cover, Over
Game Odds
Wayland Baptist Pioneers 55.5
Howard Payne Yellow Jackets – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
