Henderson State will move up a division as the Reddies travel to Thibodaux, La. to face NCAA Division I FCS member Nicholls State, Saturday at Guidry Stadium with kickoff slated for 6 p.m.
 
The meeting with the Colonels will be Henderson's first against the Southland Conference member, and the Reddies first Division I opponent since 2011 when they played Central Arkansas and South Alabama.
 
Saturday's game can be heard on the Reddie Sports Network which includes ESPN 106.9 FM in Arkadelphia, covering all of southwest Arkansas; and ESPN 100.7 FM and 1310 AM Malvern, which also covers Hot Springs.
 
The game will also be heard on 920 AM The Sports Animal in Little Rock.
 
A listen LISTEN LIVE link will also be available on the Henderson State Athletic web site at www.hsusports.com. (CLICK HERE) 

Henderson State put up some big numbers last week in a 72-7 win over Southern Nazarene. The Reddies totaled 661 yards of offense while allowing 277 yards defensively against the Crimson Storm.

Kevin Rodgers went over the 300-yard mark for the 20th time in his career, completing 27-of-36 passes for 408 yards and seven touchdown tosses in just one half.
 
All-American wide receiver Darius Davis went over the 200-yard mark for the third time in his career, having 217 yards on 10 catches and a record five touchdown receptions in the first half.     

A total of 10 receivers caught passes last week, with Adrian Tucker having three catches for 100 yards, while Joseph Snapp had five grabs for 86 yards.

Rodney Bryson led the Reddie ground game with 52 yards on three attempts, while Ryan McDonald totaled 31 yards on six carries.         

Donovan McLeod and Jonathan Edouard both have recorded five tackles to lead the Reddie defense, while Cameron Deveraux and Gary Vines both had interceptions to open the season.
 
Nicholls State enters Saturday's game with a 0-2 record after a 73-7 loss at Arkansas.
 
The Colonels will be playing their home opener this weekend against the Reddies and will be attempting to end an eight game losing streak dating back to last season. The Colonels' last win came on Oct. 12, 2013 as they defeated rival Northwestern State, 33-21.
 
The Colonels average 252.5 yards offensively, while allowing 621.0 yards defensively per game.
 
Kalen Henderson has started both games at quarterback, having completed 24-of-55 passes for 241 yards. Beaux Hebert has also seen action as the Colonel signal caller having completed an impressive 15-of-19 passes for 167 yards.
 
The Colonels will rely on junior Michael Henry and transfer Tobias Lofton to lead the ground game. Henry has totaled 50 yards on 17 carries in the first two games, while Lofton is NSU's top running back having 58 yards on 10 carries.
 
Darryl Watson is the Colonels' primary receiver having six catches for 89 yards. Watson had a big day in NSU's first game at Air Force, catching four balls for 66 yards including his first career touchdown.
 
The Colonel defense returns preseason All-Southland linebacker Davin Bovie. Bovie has totaled 12 tackles in the first two games. 


The Colonels are coach by Charlie Stubbs who is in his fifth season at Nicholls having a 10-37 record.
 
Henderson State has three players on the numerical roster that are natives of the Pelican State.
 
Cornerback Chris King is from Zachary, La. while Blake Lopez and Jalen Jones hail from New Iberia.

King lettered three years at Zachary High School and ended the year with 55 tackles, two interceptions, and 15 pass deflections. He also lettered two years in both powerlifting and in track and field.      

Lopez attended New Iberia High School where he earned All-District 4-5A as a junior and senior. Lopez totaled 68 solo tackles and three interceptions his senior season, earning All-Acadiana and Honorable Mention All-State.       
 
Jones graduated from New Iberia Senior High School in 2011 and was a member of the Yellow Jackets' basketball, football, and track teams. He earned All-District honors in both basketball and football, as well as being named "Best of the Teche" in both sports as well.          

Henderson State head coach Scott Maxfield was a four-year letterman at Louisiana Tech University where he played offensive guard and center.        
Kevin Rodgers and Darius Davis are approaching several Arkansas collegiate records.         

Rodgers needs just 275 passing yards to move in front of Aplin's record of 10,758 career passing yards. In 31 games, Rodgers has thrown 97 touchdown passes, three shy of the record of 100 held by Nathan Brown of Central Arkansas from 2005-08.
 
Davis ranks second in career touchdown receptions among Arkansas playing institutions. Davis has 34 touchdown catches, two shy of Southern Arkansas' Nik Lewis' record of 36 (2001-03).            

Davis currently ranks eighth in career receiving yards among Arkansas schools with 2642 yards. Jarius Wright of the University of Arkansas holds the record with 2934 yards from 2008-11.    
           
Henderson State will play its 21st game against a Division I FCS opponent since becoming a NCAA Division II institution prior to the 1994 season. The Reddies own just a 2-18 record against Division I opponents in the last 20 years. Henderson's first win was a 41-35 victory in 2003 over a Hal Mumme coached Southeastern Louisiana team. The Reddies beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2008 by a score of 34-0. Both wins came at home.
              
SPECIAL LINKS
Henderson State Game Notes (CLICK HERE)
Listen to Reddie Football (CLICK HERE)
Watch Reddie Football – Through Nicholls Webcast (CLICK HERE)