Henderson State University Athletics

Dwayne Cornelius was a defensive back for Henderson State from 1972 to 1976 under legendary head coach Sporty Carpenter. Cornelius was an NAIA All-American and First Team All-AIC selection in 1975, when he served as Henderson’s primary punt returner and led the AIC with 291 punt return yards and an average of nearly 14 yards per return. An honorable mention All-AIC pick in 1973 and 1974, Cornelius was a cornerstone defensively for one of the greatest runs of success in Reddie football history. From 1973 to 1975, Henderson went 31-4 in AIC games and won three-consecutive AIC titles. Those defenses, which Cornelius helped spearhead, ranked first in the AIC in all three championship seasons. During Cornelius’ senior season in the fall of 1975, the Reddie defense held opponents to a mere 141.2 yards per game.