Kenrick Burns' pass break-up with 52 seconds left in the game, helped lead Henderson State to a 23-16 win over Southeastern Oklahoma, Thursday at Paul Laird Field in Durant, Okla.

Henderson State, winner of six straight games over the Storm, has won its last four straight season openers including three on the road.

Southeastern began the final drive at its own 33 with 7:08 to play in the game and slowly moved the ball into Henderson territory.

With under two minutes to play, the Storm faced 4^th-and-10 at the HSU 30. Quarterback Ryan Polite was able to connect with Kaymon Farmer for a 25-yard pick up down to the Reddies 5-yardline to set up 1^st-and-goal.

Defensive tackles Henry Davis and Trevon Del Rio stopped Nelson Akinwande for no gain. On 2^nd-and-goal, Polite hit Farmer in the flats but Gary Vines stopped the SOSU receiver at the HSU 3.

After an incomplete pass and three consecutive timeouts, Polite tried to connect with Franky Okafor in the end zone, but Burns batted the ball down to secure the win for the Reddies.

Southeastern got on the board first benefitting from an interception by Raheem Wilson which gave the Storm the ball on the Reddies 25-yardline.

Henderson's defense held as Lawson Schulz and Sam Johnson made two key stops to force a field goal attempt by Jake Walters. Walters split the uprights from 37-yards out to put SOSU on top 3-0 with 4:10 left in the first quarter.

The second quarter began with the Reddies taking over possession on their own 35-yardline.

Dallas Hardison would orchestrate a 7-play, 65-yard drive that would result in Henderson's first points of the new season.

The junior from Bentonville, Ark. made key throws to Mack for 9 yards and Jalen Jones for 15 yards, moving the ball down to the SOSU 25-yardline.

JaQuan Cole then broke free behind left tackle for a 22-yard pick-up down to the Storm 3, before Ryan McDonald punched it in on the next play to put Henderson on top 7-3 with 12:32 left in the first half.

The Reddies defense would come up big late in the second quarter to set up Henderson's next score.

With SOSU driving into the "red zone", Burns forced a Devlon Wortham fumble which was taken by linebacker Donovan McLeod and returned 71 yards down to the Storm 10-yardline.

On the very next play, Hardison connected with Mack for a 10-yard score with 3:10 left in the half, putting the Reddies on top 14-3.

Southeastern again had trouble with the Reddies defense as Ryan Polite was intercepted by Tavares Garner at the SOSU 45.

Henderson, however, could not take advantage of the gift as Hardison fumbled the ball deep in Storm territory with Clay Walters covering for SOSU on the 23.

The miscue would later result in a 36-yard scoring strike from Polite to Okafor just before the end of the half. The point after failed, and the Reddies would go into the locker room with a 14-9 lead.

Henderson State began the second half advancing the football down to the SOSU 37, but the drive was stalled with the Storm taking over.

Two plays into the drive Polite again fumbled with Grady Ollison providing the big hit and recovering the loose ball at the SOSU 31.

After a pair of runs by Cole totaling seven yards, Hardison found McDonald in the flats for a 14 yard gain down to the SOSU 10. On the next play, Cole bounced his way into the end zone for his first score of the year. Houston Ray's point after attempt was blocked and the score stood at 20-9 with 8:31 left in the third quarter.

Late in the third quarter, the Storm was pinned back deep in their own territory back at the 16-yardline. However, Polite connected with Chance Grayson on the first play from scrimmage for a 41 yard pick up out to the Reddies 40.

Southeastern would then struggle with the HSU defensive unit as Tiyun Avery and Schulz helped end the drive at the Reddies 33 with a pair of tackles.

Henderson managed to move the ball down inside the SOSU 10 but would have to settle for a 30-yard field goal by Ray to increase the Reddies lead tp 23-9 with 11:32 to play in the game.

The Storm would answer on their next drive with the help a 45-yard pass from Polite to Ty Miller down to HSU 36. Seven plays later, Ronnie Green would score from 14 yards to cut Henderson's lead to 23-16 with 8:31 remaining.

Offensively, Henderson State finished with 272 yards of total offense on 63 plays while the Storm totaled 407 yards on 79 attempts.

Jaquan Cole led the Reddie ground game with 84 yards rushing while Dallas Hardison completed 19-28 for 160 yards and a touchdown.

Eight different receivers caught passes for the Reddies, led by Mack who had seven receptions for 48 yards.

Defensively, Schulz had a career-high 13 tackles to lead the Reddies while Tiyun Avery had seven tackles.

Henderson totaled seven tackles for lost yardage and forced three turnovers.

Henderson State will play its home opener on Thursday, Sept. 10 as the Reddies play host to East Central with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium.

The game kicks off the first of several special events in celebration of Henderson State University's 125th Anniversary.

The Community Kick-Off will feature local businesses and organizations, who will be set up adjacent to Wells Gymnasium from 4:30 p.m.

The Henderson State Alumni Association will host a pregame tailgate that will feature local band Sensory 2. 

The Reddie Football team will be visiting local schools and the boys and girls club in the build up to the game to give free tickets to local children aged 12 and under.

All fans are encouraged to start the 2015 Football season in RED. Show your Reddie Spirit and dress in RED for kickoff.
 
NOTEBOOK:

• Henderson State failed to score in the first quarter for the first time since Sept. 8, 2012 against McKendree, a span of 33 games.
• Henderson State's time of possession in the first half was 7:51 compared to 22:09 for SOSU
• Southeastern totaled 10 penalties for 82 yards in the first half.
• There was a total of seven turnovers in the game
• Henderson State wins its fourth straight season opener.
• Henderson's defense stopped Southeastern three-of-four times on fourth down conversion attempts.
• Scott Maxfield won his 71^st game as Henderson State's head coach and 99^th of his coaching career.
• Former HSU All-American quarterback Kevin Rodgers attended the game. Rodgers will be playing for the Brooklyn Bolts of the Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL). The first game is set for October 2.