ARKADELPHIA, Ark. -- Henderson State looks to bounce back from its first loss of the season Saturday with their longest trip of the season. The Reddies visit the Bulldogs of Southwestern Oklahoma State, where they have not lost a game in the GAC era. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. in Weatherford, Oklahoma.
STORYLINES: SETTING THE SCENES
Henderson State looks to bounce back from its first loss of the season on the road Saturday, making its longest road trip of the season to Weatherford, Oklahoma. The Reddies have
defeated the Bulldogs each of the last five times the two have played, and have also won 11 out of the last 12 games against SWOSU.
Southwestern Oklahoma comes into Saturday's matchup winners of their last two games. After starting the season with losses to Arkansas Tech and Harding, the Bulldogs have consecutive wins over Southeastern Oklahoma and Oklahoma Baptist.
REDDIES REPORT: OFFENSE
Henderson's 21 points in last week's loss to Southern Arkansas were the fewest scored by a Henderson State offense since last season's loss to SAU. The game also marked the first time in over a calendar year that the Reddies were out gained through the air.
One positive takeaway from Saturday's game was how well the Reddies took care of the football. For the second consecutive home game, HSU did not turn the ball over, winning the turnover battle. The two turnover-free games this year already match the total from last season.
Quarterback
Andrew Edwards continues to lead the league in passing yards, touchdowns, completions per game, and total offense. The senior was 18-of-27 for 215 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's loss. He is second in all of Division 2 and second in school history in career passing yards with 8,753.
Taylin Paskel has quickly become one of the most valuable weapons of the Reddie offense. The redshirt freshman hauled in both of Edwards' touchdown passes in last week's game, including a 91-yard strike that gave Henderson the lead back less than a minute after it was given away.
REDDIES REPORT: DEFENSE
While Henderson's defense limited Southern Arkansas in multiple facets on Saturday, SAU quarterbacks did not succumb to pressure. The Reddies recorded just two tackles for loss and no sacks. The two Mulerider signal callers only faced a total of five quarterback hurries. Henderson remains second in the GAC in sacks as a team.
HSU's defensive backfield continues to be one of the best units in the league in scoring defense. The Reddies are third in the GAC in scoring defense, yielding just 17.3 points per game. As a whole, the HSU defense is top five in the league in holding opposing offenses on later downs, ranking fifth in the league in third down conversions allowed and third in fourth-down conversions allowed.
Linebacker
Gerard Culotta continues to lead the Reddies in total tackles. The redshirt freshman ranks in the top 15 in the GAC with 26 total tackles.
REDDIES REPORT: SPECIAL TEAMS
The Reddie return game has been a pleasant surprise so far in 2025; Henderson ranks first in the GAC and 15th in the country in punt return yards, due in no small part to the efforts of
Taylin Paskel, who already has a return for a touchdown this season and ranks ninth in Division 2 in punt return yards.
Kicker
Ryan McDonnell is tied for the GAC lead in made field goals per game; the junior has converted on four field goal attempts and is a perfect 16-for-16 on extra point attempts.
THE OPPONENT: SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE
Southwestern Oklahoma State boasts the second best rushing offense in the Great American Conference. The Bulldogs average 218.8 yards on the ground per game. SWOSU running back Red Martel is fifth in the league with 85.8 yards per game; the redshirt freshman has gained 343 yards rushing through four games.
The Bulldog offense, however, has struggled to score so far this season; their 20.8 points per game is eighth in the conference. SWOSU only throws for 103 yards per game with just 81 total attempts on the season. Quarterback MJ Rivers does serve a dual-threat role, with 238 yards on the ground in 48 attempts.
One of the highlights of the Southwestern offense has been their offensive line. The Bulldogs rank second in the conference and seventh in the nation in sacks allowed. SWOSU quarterbacks have been sacked just twice in four total games this season.
SWOSU boasts the defending GAC Defensive Player of the Week in defensive back Zack Roberts. The senior registered 10 tackles in last week's win over Oklahoma Baptist, including a tackle for loss, a pass breakup, and an interception returned for a touchdown.
Over its two game win streak, Southwestern is allowing just 19 points per game. The Bulldog defense is tied for the conference lead with two defensive touchdowns; they have registered a defensive score in each of their wins this season. SWOSU's defense leads the conference in tackles for loss with an average of 8 TFL per game. Linebacker Felipe Tristan leads the team and is second in the league in individual tackles per loss average.
THE COACHING MATCHUP
Henderson State head coach
Greg Holsworth enters his second season as head football coach, and looks to improve upon last season's 8-3 campaign. The eight wins were the most by a first year head coach in program history, and also provided the best winning percentage by a first year coach in school history.
Andrew Rice is in his second year as the head coach of Southwestern Oklahoma State. The former Southern Arkansas offensive coordinator helped the Bulldogs to a bounceback 3-8 season in his first year after a winless 2023 campaign. Last year's four All-GAC selections were the most for SWOSU since 2016.
THE LAST MEETING
Henderson State celebrated Senior Day in style with a 35-17 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State.
Henderson scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter, including two touchdown passes from
Andrew Edwards and a rushing touchdown by
Elijah Naziruddin.
Edwards completed 17 of his 22 pass attempts for 302 yards and four touchdowns.
Cayden Davis led the Reddies with 84 receiving yards and two touchdowns on just three receptions. His second score of the day was a 31-yard touchdown catch in the first five minutes of the second half.
Timieone Jackson continued to bolster his GAC-leading reception total for four catches that went for 54 yards.
On defense,
Jamarion Citizen led the way with a career-high nine tackles and a tackle for loss. Aiden Ramirez and
Cameron Thomas also made solo stops behind the line of scrimmage.
Josh Doyle forced a fumble that was recovered by
Leo Morris.
Halid Djibril had a forced fumble and eight tackles.
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