Playing in a continuous downpour from the opening kickoff, Henderson State could not overcome the conditions as Emporia State beat the Reddies 29-3 in the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium Saturday in Arkadelphia, Ark.

The Reddies committed a season-high six turnovers which included four fumbles. Henderson put the ball on the ground a total of seven times on the afternoon.

Both teams struggled in the first quarter, but the Reddies had some great opportunities to set the tone early as Tiyun Avery intercepted a Brent Wilson pass and returned it to the Hornet 23 yard line.

However, the Reddies were unable to take advantage of the gift and failed to gain a yard during the drive.

Later in the quarter, Henderson got a huge special team play as Evan Lasiter's punt was mishandled by ESU's William Morris with HSU's Wyatt Leath recovering the loose ball to give the Reddies a 1^st-and-goal from the Hornet 6.

On HSU's first play, Dallas Hardison was picked off in the end zone by JP Lohrentz for a touchback to end the Reddies' scoring threat.

Emporia State, 11-2 on the year, would build a 16-0 halftime lead taking advantage of a couple of turnovers and a blocked punt.

Austin Morton would kick three of his record-setting five field goals in the quarter, being successful on kicks of 41, 40 and 25 yards.

ESU's lone touchdown of the half came by way of a HSU special team blunder as the Reddies fumbled the ball on a punt attempt with Eddie Vinson recovering the ball in the end zone for the score.

Early in the third quarter, Avery picked off his second pass of the game giving the Reddies the football at the HSU 32.

Again Henderson failed to move the ball and ESU would take advantage of a 13-yard punt as Morton would boot a 30-yard field goal to make the score 19-0 with 9:31 remaining in the third-quarter.

Another Reddie turnover would lead to Morton's fifth field goal of the game as Hardison attempted to escape several defenders losing the football with Jordan Robinson recovering at the HSU 30.

The Reddies would avoid the shutout as Houston Ray would kick a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The score was set up by a 39 yard run by Jaquan Cole.

ESU would score its only offensive touchdown of the game with 5:17 left to play as Landon Nault would break free for a 58-yard score.

Emporia State would total 331 yards of offense including a season-best 268 yards rushing.

Nault finished the game with 179 yards on 28 attempts, while MIAA Offensive Player of the Year Brent Wilson managed to complete just 6-of-14 passes for 68 yards.

The Reddies were held to a season low 137 yards including just 25 yards on the ground.

Cole finished the game with 70 yards on 16 carries to lead Henderson. The junior from Duncanville, Texas completed the season with 1,189 yards rushing, fourth best in HSU history.

Lawson Schulz and Josh Davis led the Henderson defense with nine tackles each, with Davis having 2.5 tackles for lost yardage.

Henderson State finishes the season with an 11-2 record, tying the school record for wins in a season. The Reddies also claimed their fourth conference title in six years with Henderson compiling a 54-14 record since 2010.