WARRENSBURG, Mo. - After earning its way to the 2023 NCAA Division II Playoffs for the first time since 2015 with last week's victory over then-No. 10 Ouachita Baptist, the No. 25 Henderson State Reddies fell at the hands of the No. 6 Central Missouri Mules in the first round Saturday afternoon, 56-14.

Henderson's fourth all-time NCAA Playoff appearance comes after HSU solidified its third nine-win season in the last four years, plus its first victory over the cross-street rival Tigers since 2015. The Reddies also secured their most First-Team All-GAC selections since that same 2015 campaign with six.

One of HSU's six First-Team selections, wide receiver Chris Hatzis, led the red-and-gray in receiving on the afternoon with 99 yards on a season-high 12 receptions. Quarterback Andrew Edwards finished with 223 total yards while being responsible for both of HSU's touchdowns with one coming through the air and the other on the ground.  

A short-handed running back room saw Jeremiah Davis lead the ground game for the Reddies with 116 yards on 20 carries, followed by Korien Burrell with 78 yards on 13 carries.

One of Henderson's 14 seniors in defensive tackle Denzel Walter recorded two tackles and one of HSU's three tackles-for-loss while fellow senior defensive lineman Dylan Ndambuki tallied the Reddies' lone sack of the game, bringing his season-total sack number to eight and a half.

"Those guys are just a joy to coach. To watch those kids grow and become men, that is something as a coach that is very rewarding," head coach Scott Maxfield said. "All those guys have got their degree with several of them having finishing with their masters. That is what Division II football is all about; giving kids an opportunity to play the game they love and also give them the opportunity to get an education and prepare themselves for future life. That is why I coach and it has been a pleasure working with this senior class."

Central Missouri scored touchdowns on each of its first six drives, with Henderson forcing the Mules' first punt at the 7:54 mark of the second quarter. By then, UCM had already established a 42-7 lead. Henderson did open the second half with two of its best drives back-to-back, but a turnover-on-downs and interception deep in Central Missouri territory kept the Reddies from being able to cut into the deficit.

No. 25 Henderson State finishes the 2023 season with a 9-3 overall record and a 9-2 conference record to finish tied for second in the GAC.