Henderson State vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State
Carpenter-Haygood Stadium at Ruggles Field | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | 2 p.m. CT
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ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Following its first loss of the year on the road to No. 22 Harding last week, Henderson State will look to win its third-straight home contest when it hosts Northwestern Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium and Ruggles Field.
TOP STORYLINES: SETTING THE SCENE
- NWOSU is one of the only GAC teams from Oklahoma that has given the Reddies trouble. Henderson leads the all-time series 4-3 but the Rangers have won the last two meetings. NWOSU defeated HSU 36-30 the last time the teams met in Arkadelphia in 2017 and took the 2018 matchup in Alva, Oklahoma 30-24.
- The Reddies' defense will look for another strong performance after two great showings against Arkansas Tech and Harding. The offense aims to rebound after struggling on the road against the Bisons last Saturday. HSU was held to just 139 passing yards and 44 total yards in the second half in Searcy.
REDDIES REPORT
- After tearing through opposing defenses through the first three weeks of the year, the Henderson offense was stifled by Harding's No. 1 ranked defense in the 14-13 loss to the Bisons. The Reddies were held to just 235 total yards and 44 yards in the second half. HSU dropped to No. 4 in the GAC in scoring offense (27.2 points per game) and third in total offense (427.5 yards per game). Despite a tough showing, the passing offense still leads the league (290.5 yards per game) and Richard Stammetti continues to top the conference in passing yards (1139). L'liott Curry, who had five catches for 76 yards, is second in the GAC in receiving yards (407).
- On the other side of the ball, the Reddies' defense continued its terrific play on the road. Henderson forced and recovered three Harding fumbles, made two big fourth-down stops -- one of which came at its own 1-yard line -- and held Harding to just 335 total yards despite the Bisons holding the ball for over 40 minutes in the game and running 79 plays. HSU ranks fourth in the GAC in scoring defense (17.2) and fifth in total defense (316.2 yards per game) a third of the way through the season.
- Several Reddies on the defensive side of the ball had terrific nights against nationally-ranked Harding. Josh Puryear had a career day with 12 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles, both of which were recovered by Henderson. Puryear has had a tackle for loss in every game this year. Redshirt freshman Patrick Jones had a career-high 12 tackles from his safety spot, as well as a tackle for loss. Colby Turner, who remains fifth in the GAC in tackles with 36, had 10 more in the loss and added his first fumble recovery of the season.
- The Reddies' defense has been particularly strong on third downs this season. Henderson leads the GAC and is No. 5 in the country for NCAA DII in opponents third down conversions, allowing the opposition to convert on just 12 of 55 third down attempts so far in 2019 (21.8%). HSU was very good on third down against No. 22 Harding. The Bisons were just 3-for-13 on third down conversions.
- Henderson's offense continues to be pass-heavy and is third in the league in pass attempts this year (145). The Reddies have run the ball less than any team in the conference (105 rushes) but have had success when they do go to the ground. HSU averages 5.2 yards per carry which is tied for second-most in the league.
- After a sloppy opener against Oklahoma Baptist saw the Reddies rack up 212 yards in penalties, Henderson has been remarkably disciplined in its last three games. HSU has been penalized for just 90 yards since the game against the Bison (30 yards per game). The 30 penalty yards per game would be the best mark of any team in the GAC if the outlier was removed.
- The Reddies have been very good in the red zone in 2019. Henderson is 10-for-12 on red zone scoring chances through four games (83.3%) which is the second-best mark in the GAC. Of HSU's 10 scores, seven were touchdowns. The red-zone scoring percentage for the Reddies could be even higher -- they took a knee to run out the clock at the Arkansas Tech 4-yard line two weeks ago.
- HSU has been dominant against Oklahoma-based GAC opponents since the inception of the conference in 2011. During that time, the Reddies are 35-7 against league foes from the Sooner State and last season's loss to NWOSU in Alva, Oklahoma was Henderson's first GAC road loss outside of Arkansas.
- Henderson has not won three-straight home contests in a single season since 2015, when the Reddies won their last four games at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium and Ruggles Field over SWOSU, Arkansas Tech, Southern Arkansas and Southern Nazarene. HSU is 26-14 all-time at home in GAC matchups.
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA
- The Rangers enter Saturday's contest 2-2 overall and in conference play. After a win in their opener over East Central, NWOSU dropped two-straight to Southeastern Oklahoma and Ouachita Baptist before getting back on track last Saturday in a 28-0 shutout win over UAM. NWOSU is led by head coach Matt Walters, who is 18-30 in five seasons at the school.
- Offensively, NWOSU is led by quarterback Trent Easley and running back Jacob Peyton. Easley is 59-for-112 for 677 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions this season, while Peyton has carried 49 times for 269 yards and one score. The Rangers top receiver is Kentrez Bell, who has shown big play ability with 228 yards and two touchdowns on just nine catches (25.3 yards per reception). NWOSU is ninth in the GAC in scoring offense (18.5 points per game) and eighth in total offense (324.5 yards per game).
- On the defensive side of the ball for the Rangers it starts with linebacker Maurice Wright Jr., who was a First Team All-GAC selection in both 2017 and 2018, and has recorded 100-plus tackles in each of his first three seasons at NWOSU. Wright Jr. is currently second in the league with 40 stops this year. Fellow linebacker James Ellis has also been a problem for opposing offenses and has 33 tackles, 2.0 sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in four games. The Rangers are third in the GAC in scoring defense (17 points per game) and sixth in total defense (357.5 yards to opponents).
- NWOSU's defense has been incredibly opportunistic this season. The Rangers lead the GAC in both turnovers gained (14) and turnover margin (+9), and have also been unyielding in the red zone. Opponents are 4-for-13 in red zone scoring chances this year against NWOSU (30.8%), a mark which is second in NCAA DII.
LAST YEAR'S MEETING
- Henderson State had its chances and led with 10 minutes to go in the game, but Northwestern Oklahoma State got two touchdown drives late in 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 was 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 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. HSU got a late throw to the end zone which could have won the game, but it was knocked away to clinch the win for NWOSU.
HALL OF HONOR
- The 23rd Hall of Honor class at Henderson State will be inducted on Friday night at 7 p.m. in the Garrison Center grand ballroom and will be honored at 1:40 p.m. on the field before kickoff on Saturday. This year's class includes from Category I (Football and Men's Basketball), gridiron legends Sean McGrath and Kevin Rodgers, as well as NAIA basketball standout John Hansen; from Category II (Other Men's Sports), early 2000s baseball greats Cody Deal and T.J. Hendricks; from Category III (Women's Sports), women's golf pioneer Jenna Chadwick-McKiddy and tennis ace Stephanie Devine-Fincher; and from Category IV (Heritage Era), one of the greatest scorers in Henderson basketball history, Jimmy Reppo. Receiving special recognition as a part of this year's Hall of Honor class is the late former president of Henderson State University, Dr. Charles Dunn, who will receive the Willie Tate Meritorious Humanitarian Award.
IMPORTANT GAMEDAY INFORMATION
- Several different parking options are available for game day. CADC SCAT buses will be staged at the corner of 12th and Wilson streets three hours prior to kickoff, allowing fans to use the parking lots around Henderson's main campus. The free shuttles will travel down 12th street and drop fans off in two locations: the front of the Wells Center on M.H. Russell Drive, for those who wish to partake in pregame activities, and at the main gate to Carpenter-Haygood Stadium and Ruggles Field. The shuttles will also run up to an hour after the game ends, allowing fans to board at the main gate as they exit and ride back to their cars on campus.
- The two other available public parking lots are the Formby Center lot, located directly in front of the Formby Athletic Complex and next to the Reddie Villas, and the South Wells Center lot, located directly in front of the Duke Wells Center.
- For Reddie Club members, Red and Gray reserved lots are located directly behind the main stands and above Clyde Berry Field. These lots require your Reddie Club parking passes. Handicapped parking is also available in the Red and Gray lot directly behind the main stands.
- Ticket windows at the stadium open two hours before game time. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children. All students, faculty or staff with a valid Henderson State ID will be admitted for free, as will children five years old and younger.
CHICK-FIL-A COMES TO REDDIE GAMEDAY
- In addition to their normal game day offerings at concessions, Sodexo is adding Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwiches to the slate of food choices for Henderson State football games this season. Sandwiches will be sold for $4 and can be purchased at the concessions stands on the home side of the stadium. CLICK HERE to see the full Sodexo concessions menu.
HOW TO LISTEN
- The game will be broadcast and available by the Henderson State Sports Network on KDEL 100.9 FM and KVRC 1240 AM in Arkadelphia, KWPS 99.7 FM in Hot Springs, KYXK 106.7 in Gurdon, KZYP 104.1 FM/1310 AM in Malvern, KAFN 99.3 FM/690 AM in Benton and KAAY 1090 AM in Little Rock. Coverage begins one hour prior to kickoff. The radio broadcast can also be heard on the web by going to the audio link for the game at hsusports.com.
