ALVA, Okla. — Henderson State had chances on Saturday evening, and led with 10 minutes to go in the game, but Northwestern Oklahoma State got two touchdown drives late the fourth quarter and the Reddies' last second throw to the end zone came up empty, as they fell to the Rangers, 30-24. The loss is Henderson's first in Oklahoma since the inception of the Great American Conference in 2011.
Leading 24-17 with just over 12 minutes to play in the game, the Reddies (1-2) got the ball on the Rangers' 46-yard line looking to take complete control. Henderson could not get anything going and was forced to give the ball back to Northwestern after a three-and-out. The Rangers took full advantage, and put together a six-play, 98 yard drive to tie the game at 24-24 with 8:33 left to go.
After the Reddies stalled again on their next offensive possession, NWOSU's suddenly potent offense capitalized once more, as the Rangers marched 78 yards to the end zone in 10 plays. A 1-yard touchdown run gave NWOSU a 30-24 lead with 2:17 to play after the snap on the extra point was mishandled.
Needing a score, Henderson could not find it on its ensuing possession, as an interception from Trey Merritt seemed to seal the Reddies' fate with under two minutes to play. HSU would get one last chance, however, as a fumble with 1:15 left was recovered by
Mercardo Anderson and gave Henderson some life at its own 40-yard line.
The Reddies gave themselves a shot, and moved the ball down to the NWOSU 31-yard line, but with time running out Henderson was forced to take a shot to the end zone on the game's final play, and
Richard Stammetti's prayer was intercepted at the goal line to finally put an end to HSU's last gasp.
John Murray was one of the highlights for Henderson, as he finished with nine catches for 176 yards. Murray's night was the best for a Reddies wide out yardage-wise since 2016. Stammetti finished 21 of 42 for 309 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Logan Moragne carried it 20 times for a career-high 88 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Bowen Sweeney led the team defensively with 10 tackles.
Henderson fell behind 14-0 in the blink of an eye in the first quarter, after NWOSU took advantage of big plays on the ground to find the end zone twice early. The Reddies answered with touchdowns from Moragne and
Ben Johnson to tie the game 14-14, before allowing a field goal at the end of the first half, which made it 17-14, Rangers. Moragne's second score gave the Reddies a 21-17 advantage in the third, and
Temo Martinez' career long 34-yard field goal made it 24-17 entering the final quarter.
The Reddies return home next Saturday, Sept. 22, when they take on Southwestern Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. on Family Day at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium and Ruggles Field.
