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Henderson State University Athletics

Events and Results

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Option 2
35
East Central ECU 6-4 , 6-4
45
Winner Henderson St. HSU 7-3 , 7-3
East Central ECU
6-4 , 6-4
35
Final
45
Henderson St. HSU
7-3 , 7-3
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
ECU East Central 7 0 14 14 35
HSU Henderson St. 7 14 14 10 45

Game Recap: Football |

Reddies Tame Tigers on Senior Day

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State used an early second-quarter scoring burst and honored its 20 seniors on Saturday by defeating East Central 45-35.

The Reddie defense started the game on the field, facing an East Central offense that had scored more than 35 points in three of its last four games. HSU held, though, yielding just 19 yards in eight plays before getting the ball back following a Tiger punt. The first drive for the Reddie offense was effective to say the least, with Jeremiah Davis striking on a two-yard touchdown run to cap a nine-play, 78-yard drive to open the scoring.

The Tigers answered that touchdown with one of their own just over six minutes later, with Quincy Thompson capitalizing with a one-yard touchdown run of his own to tie the game. That tie lasted for all of 1:21, as the Reddies answered right back: Cayden Davis hauled in a 20-yard reception from Andrew Edwards to give Henderson a lead it would not relinquish.

The Edwards touchdown run was the first of three consecutive Reddie touchdowns, as HSU ran off 21 consecutive points across the second and early third quarters. Andrew Edwards punched in a one-yard touchdown of his own before connecting with Aundreus Griffin on a 13-yard strike on the first drive of the third quarter to set the Henderson lead to 28-7. 

From there, it was a back-and-forth scoring affair, with both teams showing efficiency and execution. East Central started with a 54-yard touchdown rush from Sergio Kennedy. HSU answered immediately, as Taylin Paskel returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a score. The kick return touchdown was the first of the season for Henderson State and was the first in the program since October of 2024. Notably, Paskel also scored the only punt return touchdown of the season.

East Central resorted to some trickery to try and keep itself in the game, as Xavier Gordon executed a jet sweep pass to Darwin Parker for a 42-yard score. The Reddies answered with the lone field goal of the game, a 21-yarder from Ryan McDonnell. Kennedy answered for the Tigers with a one-yard rushing touchdown. Andrew Edwards responded with his second rushing touchdown of the game, a 16-yard run to give the Reddies another score on a short field after an unsuccessful ECU onside kick attempt.

Following the score, the two teams traded scoreless possessions for the first time of the half: the Tigers turned the ball over on downs, while the Reddies punted after a three-and-out. East Central followed with their final score of the game, an 83-yard touchdown from Kennedy to Brooks Rigney.

After HSU turned the ball over on downs, it was De'vonta Roberts who iced the game with the defense's lone interception of the day to set the final score.

Edwards led the way offensively with a very efficient day, completing 19-of-23 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns in addition to running the ball 13 times for 50 yards and two scores.

Cayden Davis led the Reddies in receiving for the second consecutive game, hauling in four catches for 48 yards and a touchdown. 

Arguably, the most important stat of the game was Henderson going three-of-four on fourth down conversions; each of the successful conversions resulted in touchdowns.

The Reddies now turn their attention to the 98th Battle of the Ravine. The game between Henderson and cross-town rival Ouachita Baptist is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, November 15th.
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