Box Score FINAL STATISTICS

LEBANON, Ill. – McKendree University took advantage of three early turnovers by the Henderson State offense and put an early scare into the Reddies by converting those turnovers into a quick 10-0 lead. The Bearcats would extend their lead to 17-7 before the Reddies' offense exploded for 40 unanswered points as they eventually rolled to a 47-24 rout of the Bearcats on Saturday afternoon at Leemon Field in Lebanon, Ill.
 
Leading the offensive surge for the Reddies (2-0) was starting quarterback Kevin Rodgers. The sophomore signal-caller, who has been on an impressive personal run of success dating back to the final game of last season, continued the stellar play in last week's win. But Rodgers out-did that performance in a major way against McKendree on Saturday as he tossed a career-high 442 yards and seven touchdowns.
 
The seven scores through the air sets a new Henderson State single-game record, passing the previous record of six scores when Chris Reil did so in 2000 against Arkansas Tech. Rodgers' accomplishment also puts him in the Great American Conference record book surpassing the previous record of five touchdown passes.
 
The first of Rodgers' touchdown throws came in the second quarter and put the Reddies on the board, pulling them to within a field goal, 10-7.
 
On the following Reddie possession, Rodgers was picked off and returned to the end zone for a McKendree score to put the Bearcats back up by 10 points, 17-7.
 
Rodgers and company would bounce back from that deflating pick-six and find the end zone twice before the end of the half to take a 20-17 lead into the locker room.
 
After forcing McKendree to punt on their first drive of the second half, Rodgers connected with junior wideout Robert Jordan on the Reddies' first play of the half for a 47-yard TD strike.
 
Following a nine-play, 77-yard touchdown drive that ended with Rodgers finding Jordan once more for a score, the Rockwall, Texas native engineered another one-play scoring drive as he completed his sixth scoring toss of the game by hitting Darius Davis for a 60-yard bomb.
 
Looking to set the new school-record for touchdown passes in a game, Rodgers began his final drive of the game with four seconds left in the third quarter and ended it 2:37 later with a seven-yard strike to Kevin Nichols. In the third quarter alone, Rodgers was 7-of-8 for 149 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Aside from Rodgers' dominance through the air, a major key to the Reddies' turnaround was the defense's ability to stop the unique rushing attack of McKendree. While Henderson struggled out of the gate offensively, McKendree was able to control the clock as they built their early 10-0 lead.
 
In the first quarter alone, the Bearcats possessed the ball for 12:35 and rushed 18 times for 82 yards. The Reddie defense would make an adjustment to the wing-T rushing attack in the second quarter as they allowed only 15 yards on 12 carries, helping to spark the Reddie offense. The Bearcats would end the game with 191 yards rushing on 46 carries for an average of 3.7 yards per carry.
 
Linebackers Maxie Graham and Keaton Stigger were the most active defenders for the Reddies as each recorded double-digit tackles. Graham led the team with 12 stops (five solo, and seven assisted), while Stigger was right behind with 11 (five solo, and six assisted). Graham was also in on the Reddies' lone sack, combining with Ron Allen for the takedown.
 
For the game, the Reddies totaled over 500 yards of offense as they ended with 520 yards. It is the second straight game that the Reddies' offense has reached that mark.
 
Jordan reached the 100-yard mark in receiving for the second straight game as he hauled in nine catches for 108 yards. Elliot Hebert was not far behind in yardage as his six grabs netted him 93 yards. The longest play from scrimmage for the Reddies was the 60-yard touchdown strike to Davis.
 
The Reddies will remain on the road next week as they travel to Russellville, Ark. to take on Arkansas Tech University to open up Great American Conference play. Kickoff at Buerkle Field is scheduled for 6 p.m.