Kevin Rodgers completed 22-of-29 passes for 158 yards to lead Henderson State to a 16-10 victory over McKendree, Saturday at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium in Arkadelphia, Ark.

Henderson State, 5-4 on the year, dominated the first quarter as the Reddie offense totaled 123 yards of offense while the defense did not allow the Bearcats any yards on nine plays.

The Reddies put together a 12-play, 69-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead with 3:15 remaining in the first quarter. Rodgers completed 7-of-8 passes on the drive capped off by a 14-yard scoring strike to Jazz Scott.

The Reddies started another drive on their next possession, but Jarvis Smith fumbled on the McKendree 13 to give the ball back to the Bearcats at the beginning of the second quarter.

Henderson State, 5-4 on the season, tacked on a field goal just before half as Eric Torres split the uprights from 34 yards out with 1:16 remaining and give the Reddies a 10-0 advantage.

McKendree, 1-7 on the season, had a chance to cut into the Reddie lead midway through the third quarter after Josh Atwood recovered an Israel Valentin fumble at the Reddie 13.

Henderson's defense rose to the occasion, turning back the Bearcats and forcing them into a field goal situation. Kolton King attempted a 35-yard field goal but the kick was blocked by Benny Anderson and the Reddies took over on their own 29 to set up the next scoring drive.

Henderson began moving the ball down field as Smith had carries of 9 and 15 yards, with Turell Williams carrying the ball four times for 20 yards including a 4-yard run for a score to put the Reddies on top 16-0 with 4:38 left in the third quarter.

McKendree put another serious drive together, but this time the Bearcats came away with some results.

David Bergschneider connected with Pat Doty for the Bearcats' biggest gain of the day of 30 yards to set up McKendree's lone touchdown of the game. Four plays later, Chris Montgomery scored from a yard out to make the score 16-7 with 14:09 left in the game.

On McKendree's next possession, Josh Pruitt was able to make it a one possession game as he hit a 25-yard field goal with 4:36 remaining.
After Henderson's next drive stalled, McKendree took over on its own 14 with 2:24 to play in the game.

The Reddie defense swarmed Bergschneider as the McKendree quarterback was under heavy pressure by Glennon Bobo and Benny Anderson.

The Bearcats did manage to pick up a first-down, but Robbie Aldridge put the Bearcats deep in a whole with one of his game-high three tackles for lost yardage tackling Bergschneider for a 4-yard loss.

With McKendree facing 4th-and-11, Bergschneider was intercepted by Wesley Brady to end the Bearcat drive and secure the win for the Reddies.
Henderson State managed just 262 yards of offense, while the Bearcats totaled 234 yards.

Smith led the Reddie ground game with 76 yards, while Scott had four receptions for 54 yards.

Taylor Stone led the Reddie defense with nine tackles, including two for lost yardage, while Anderson had seven stops and Aldridge six.