Henderson State slowed down a high-powered Southwestern Oklahoma offense as the Reddies shutout the Bulldogs 33-0, Saturday at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium.

Southwestern Oklahoma, 2-2 on the season, averaged 439.4 yards and 44 points per game entering the contest with the Reddies. The Bulldogs also had just one turnover in the first three games. A week ago, SWOSU upended No. 9 Ouachita Baptist 58-38.

This Saturday belonged to the Henderson State defense. The Reddies were stellar in pitching a shutout while allowing just 220 yards of offense. Equally impressive was the five interceptions recorded by the Reddies.

It was a defensive struggle in the first quarter with the lone sustained drive occurring midway through the quarter as Southwestern Oklahoma drove down to the Reddie 48 before Gary Vines intercepted a Marc Evans pass at the Reddie 5-yardline and returned it to the 20.

Henderson State would get on the board early in the second quarter when JaQuan Cole bounced off several SWOSU defenders and broke free for a 72-yard touchdown scamper with 10:10 left in the half.

Cole's long run was Henderson's longest rush from scrimmage since Ryan McDonald scored a 62-yard touchdown last year against Southeastern Oklahoma.

It didn't take long for the Reddie defense to get the ball back for the offense as Tavares Garner recorded his GAC leading third interception of the year and returned it 12 yards to the Bulldog 33.

It would take Henderson State seven plays to capitalize on the SWOSU miscue as Cole caught an 11-yard screen pass from Dallas Hardison and crossed the goal line to increase the Reddie lead to 14-0 with 3:56 left in the half.

On SWOSU's next possession, Evans would be picked off again as Donovan McLeod tipped the ball in the air and came down with it at the SWOSU 41

Henderson would settle for a 23-yard field goal by Houston Ray to make the score 17-0 with 1:28 remaining.

Southwestern would threaten just before half getting a big 49 pass play from Evans to Karltrell Henderson down to the Reddie 10.

However, the Reddies defense got pass break-ups from Kenrick Burns and Adrian Tucker to force a 23-yard field goal attempt by Michael Perez. Perez's kick was wide right and the half ended with HSU on top 17-0.

The Bulldog offense could do little against the Henderson defense in the second half as SWOSU totaled just 86 yards in the final 30 minutes.

Christian Love and Kenrick Burns had interceptions in the second half, while Houston Ray added field goals of 36, 44, and 34 yards to increase the Reddies lead to 26-0.

Henderson State got the ball one last time and began the drive on the SWOSU 25 following a 22-yard punt return by Darion Gray.

The Reddies would score their only touchdown in the second half as Calen Peters plunged in from six yards out for the final score.

Henderson State totaled 323 yards of offense with 227 yards coming on the ground.

Cole had a career-high rushing, going over 100 yards for the first time in his career with 143 yards on 21 attempts.

Hardison was an efficient 14-for-24 passing for 86 yards, while Mark Czaus was Henderson's top receiver with four catches for 29 yards.

Lawson Schulz led the Henderson State defense with seven tackles including 1 ½ stops for lost yardage. Schulz also had two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.

Garner also had a big game with six stops, and interception and a pair of pass breakups, while Vines ended the game with 5 stops and two interceptions.

Henderson State will next play host to Arkansas Tech on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium with kickoff set for 2 p.m.
 
NOTES

• The last time HSU recorded a shutout was Oct 5. 2013 vs. Northwestern Oklahoma. The Reddies won 42-0.
• In the last two games, the Henderson State defense has recorded 10 interceptions, five vs. Southwestern Oklahoma and five against Northwestern Oklahoma.
• The 72 yard scrimmage rush by JaQuan Cole is HSU's longest this year. The last time HSU had a rush of 50 yards or more, was Ryan McDonald in 2014 vs. SEOSU when he scored a 62-yard TD run.
• Southwestern Oklahoma entered the game with just one turnover in three games. The Reddies forced five turnovers.
• Henderson State totaled just eight interceptions in 2014, the Reddies already have 12 in 2015.
• For the first time this year, the Reddies did not have a turnover.
• Houston Ray kicked four field goals and totaled 15 total points in the game.