Box Score Box Score
The Louisiana College Wildcats dropped a heartbreaker in Brownwood, Texas on Saturday, as the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets won an 18-16 decision on a 39 yard field goal from Joshua Martinez with three seconds left to give the Jackets their first win over LC since 2006.
 
The game-winning kick from Martinez came just minutes after LC went ahead 16-15 on a 10 yard touchdown pass from Easton Melancon to Lawrence Williams in the back corner of the endzone on a 4^th and 10 play.
 
The Yellow Jackets got on the board first when Martinez capped HPU's first drive of the game with a 22 yard field goal to put his team ahead 3-0.
 
LC would answer just before the end of the 1^st quarter when Melancon lobbed a three yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver D.J. Latino with 52 seconds remaining in the quarter to cap a nine play 99 yard drive that gave LC a 7-3 lead.
 
But the Jackets would continue to rely on Martinez throughout the first half, and two field goals in the 2^nd quarter from 49 yards and 31 yards out gave the home team a 9-7 advantage going into the locker room.
 
LC would have an opportunity to score a go-ahead touchdown in the 3^rd quarter when a 24 yard completion from Melancon to Cole Crook gave the Cats a 1^st and goal opportunity at the one yard line.
 
But an outstanding goal line stand by HPU's defense halted LC's opportunity and the Wildcats would have to settle for a 20 yard field goal from Charles Firmin, which he put through the uprights to give LC a 10-9 lead with 4:41 remaining in the 3^rd quarter.
 
Richard Young's 1 yard touchdown run with 6:51 left in the 4^th quarter put HPU back ahead 15-10, but that was immediately answered on LC's next possession when Melancon hit Williams in the endzone on 4^th and 10 to give the Wildcats the lead again at 16-15.
 
LC would have an opportunity to extend that lead on the ensuing kickoff when HPU return man Colby Mica watched Firmin's kick land at the 5 yard line before the ball took a huge Wildcat bounce backwards and was recovered by LC's Cozenski Alfred on the HPU 14 yard line.
 
The ensuing LC drive would be shut down by the HPU defense, setting up a 29 yard field goal by Firmin. The kick would miss wide left, however, and the Jackets would go 59 yards on 12 plays to set up Martinez's game-winner.
 
 Melancon finished the day 22-for-35 passing for 244 yards and two touchdowns while running back Aurren Cooksey carried the ball 25 times for 154 yards.
 
LC freshman linebacker Orel Ledet, Jr. led the Wildcats on defense with 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and two pass breakups.

The Wildcats have just two games remaining on their schedule for 2015, which begins next Saturday against McMurry University at 1 p.m. That game will be the final home game of the season for the Wildcats and will be part of "Senior Day" ceremonies at Wildcat Field.