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Henderson State University Athletics

Events and Results

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SWOSU Win 10-4
35
Winner Henderson St. HSU 4-1 , 4-1
32
Southwestern Okla. SWO 2-3 , 2-3
Winner
Henderson St. HSU
4-1 , 4-1
35
Final
32
Southwestern Okla. SWO
2-3 , 2-3
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
HSU Henderson St. 7 0 21 7 35
SWO Southwestern Okla. 0 17 0 15 32

Game Recap: Football |

Reddies Overcome Sluggish Start, Use Big Third Quarter to Defeat SWOSU

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Henderson State overcame a sluggish start with a third-quarter onslaught and held on through a controversial last two minutes to take down Southwestern Oklahoma State Saturday by a final score of 35-32. 

After the defense forced an opening three-and-out, the Reddie offense marched down the field with surgical precision, going 67 yards on 12 plays on a scoring drive that lasted over six minutes. Andrew Edwards connected with Micah Greene on an 18-yard touchdown strike. 

Southwestern Oklahoma scored on its next three offensive drives. Following the HSU touchdown, the Bulldogs took nearly eight minutes of clock time before an Ethan McBee 36-yard field goal took the Reddie lead to 7-3. Henderson tried to match with a field goal of their own on its next possession, but Ryan McDonnell's kick into the wind deflected off the left upright. 

SWOSU's next possession was fast and efficient. Quarterback MJ Rivers hit Zion Mercer over the middle for a 44-yard score, capping a five-play, 80-yard drive. The Reddies could not answer on their next drive, punting after five plays. Southwestern's final possession of the first half was quick and effective, with Rivers scoring on a seven-yard rush to punctuate a nine-play, 53-yard drive to finish the half.

HSU used a methodical, effective drive to open the third quarter; Edwards ran the ball in from 11 yards out to bring the deficit down to just three points. The scoring drive was the second for Henderson, which took over six minutes off the clock.

The defense answered the call, as Mulumba Wa-Kalonji didn't fall for a trick play and recorded an eight-yard tackle for loss on the opening play of the SWOSU drive. The Bulldogs couldn't overcome the lost yardage and punted after going three-and-out. Taylin Paskel faced an 80-yard punt as SWOSU tried to flip the field, but returned the kick 21 yards to set the Reddies up with a short field. The offense answered quickly, with Jeremiah Davis punching it in for an eight-yard touchdown run, putting the finishing touches on a five-play, 60-yard drive. The score gave Henderson just its second lead of the game at the 4:51 mark of the third quarter. 

Henderson's defense forced another punt on the ensuing Southwestern possession, and the offense capitalized again. Edwards found Aundreus Griffin on a back-shoulder throw for a 19-yard touchdown. The drive was a big one for tight end Cayden Davis, as the senior had back-to-back receptions totaling 33 yards on the last possession of the third quarter. The Reddies' 215 yards in the third quarter surpassed the entire first-half offensive output of 195 yards. The HSU defense also had an outstanding third quarter, limiting the Bulldogs to just three total yards and zero first downs in three possessions.

The Reddies showed no signs of stopping in the final period; Dylan Jones ran straight through the Bulldog defense for a 19-yard score, becoming the third different Reddie to rush for a touchdown. The two teams traded empty possessions, with SWOSU punting and the Reddies narrowly missing on a fourth-down conversion.

It was then that the game got even more interesting. After a Rivers to Michael Doctor touchdown pass and a successful two-point conversion, the Bulldogs converted on a controversial onside kick attempt. They drove down the field again, taking just 58 seconds to score another touchdown on an eight-play, 46-yard drive where Rivers connected with Justin Underwood.

The ensuing SWOSU onside attempt failed, as the Reddies recovered the attempt and ran out the clock.

Edwards finished the game 19-of-26 passing for 198 yards and two touchdowns. The senior quarterback also ran for a career-high 135 yards and a score. Dylan Jones also ran for a new career high of 59 yards. Cayden Davis was the leading receiver for Henderson, hauling in five catches for 66 yards, four of which came in the second half.

HSU returns home for the next two weeks, beginning with Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday, October 11; kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., and they will honor their newest inductees into the Henderson State Hall of Honor.
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