Box Score
Despite holding a 35-10 lead with just under seven minutes remaining in the 3^rd quarter, Saturday's game against Howard Payne came down to the last play of the game for the Louisiana College, as a Joshua Martinez 47 yard game tying field goal fell just short, giving the Wildcats a 42-39 win in their American Southwest Conference opener.
 
When LC senior running back Ryan Montague scored from one yard out with 8 minutes left in the 3^rd quarter and was able to score again from three yards out just over a minute later after a Howard Payne fumble, it appeared as though the Wildcats, leading 35-10, were well on their way to cruising to a big ASC road win over a confident Yellow Jacket team. 
 
However, an outstanding 21 play, 79 yard drive by HPU drew the closer at 35-17. Back-to-back self-inflicted wounds by the Wildcats would then put the Yellow Jackets within a field goal.
 
On LC's ensuing drive, freshman quarterback Easton Melancon was intercepted by HPU's Josh Eppler, setting up a 10 yard touchdown pass from Richard Young to Colby Mica. A successful two-point conversion made the score 35-25.
 
Ira Jewitt, LC's star return man, then fumbled the ensuing the kickoff to set up another HPU touchdown, this one coming on another touchdown pass from Young, this one a four yarder to Zarron Dove to bring the Yellow Jackets within three, 35-32.
 
A 21 play, 86 yard drive by the Wildcats on their ensuring possession, capped by a 14 yard touchdown pass from Melancon to Kyle Galyon would give LC what appeared t be a comfortable 42-32 lead. However, HPU was able to answer again, as they marched down the field on a 24 play, 87 yard drive over the next four minutes and 17 seconds to make it 42-39.
 
After a stalled drive from LC, the Yellow Jackets were able to get the ball all the way down to the Wildcats' 11-yard line with under a minute left, but a sack of Young by LC linebacker Cole Leftlett pushed HPU back to the 27-yard line.
 
A false start penalty and a two-yard run from Dove set up Martinez's 47 yard attempt that fell short, clinching the 42-39 victory for the Wildcats.
 
LC built a 21-10 lead at the half behind three touchdown passes, two from Melancon and one from Alonzo Bellamy, who filled in for an injured Melancon briefly in the 2^nd quarter.
 
LC's first scored came when Melancon hit freshman receiver Cole Crook, who was making his first career start at receiver, for a six yard touchdown on the Wildcats' first drive of the game. Melancon then Crook again for a 10 yard score later in the 1^st quarter. Bellamy, filling in for Melancon, connected with star receiver Kyle Galyon with 8 minutes left in the half to help guide LC to a 21-10 lead at halftime.
 
Montague, the preseason ASC Offensive Player of the Year, had his second consecutive 150-yard game, finishing with 156 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries.
 
Melancon, despite throwing two interceptions, had perhaps his best outing to date, completing 23-of-41 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns. Galyon was the top target of Melancon, finishing with 9 catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns.