ARKADELPHIA, Ark. -- For the first time this season, Henderson State will be tested with how they bounce back after a loss. The Reddies fell to second-ranked Harding last week and were unable to score more than 20 points for the first time in 2026. The team is 5-1 in coach Greg Holsworth's tenure after a loss, with the lone loss coming at Arkansas Tech in 2025. 

REDDIES REPORT: OFFENSE 

The Reddie offense continues to be one of the best offensive units in Division II. Despite managing just 220 yards in Saturday's loss to Harding, HSU remains the league leader and ranks seventh in the nation in total offense with 493.7 yards gained per game.

The GAC-leading pass offense of HSU led the way in Saturday's game. Quarterback Jordan Walker threw for 221 of the team's 279 total yards, completing 21 of his 38 passes and throwing for two touchdowns as well as two two-point conversions.

Maddox Davis had the second-best outing of his sophomore season on Saturday; the Benton native hauled in 10 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. So far this season, Davis leads the GAC with 585 yards and five receiving touchdowns.

Sophomore quarterback Jordan Walker has already entered the top ten in the GAC in multiple categories despite starting just the past two games. The Bryant native ranks fifth in the league with seven passing touchdowns, fifth in the conference with 76 points responsible for, and tied for 12th in the league (with fellow Reddie Myron Thrash) with five rushing touchdowns.

Henderson boasts two of the most high-impact receivers in the GAC: junior Taylin Paskel and senior Michael Jones. The duo rank second and third in the conference in yards per reception, respectively. Paskel ranks second in the league at 21.86 yards per reception, with Jones holding down the third spot with 19.67 yards per catch.

REDDIES REPORT: DEFENSE

While the Reddie defense was unable to force any turnovers in Saturday's loss, the team continues to pace the Great American Conference; the team's 14 turnovers gained is tied for the conference lead with Southeastern Oklahoma and Harding.

The three aforementioned teams (HSU, HU, SEOSU) have proven themselves to be the best in the GAC, as the trio ranks among the top three in nearly every defensive statistical category. In fact, prior to last week, the Reddies led the league in several of these categories, including total defense and scoring defense.

This HSU team prides itself on how well it defends the pass. Henderson is tied for the GAC lead with eight interceptions this season, and continues to pace the league in passing efficiency, holding opposing passers to a 96.3 quarterback rating.

Senior edge Mulumba Wa-Kalonji has caused havoc on opposing offenses this season, and his numbers back up that statement. The Coloradan ranks fourth in the league in forced fumbles (0.29 per game) and ninth in the conference in sacks (0.5 per game, 3.5 this season). 

REDDIES REPORT: SPECIAL TEAMS 

This week's matchup will feature the two best kickers in the GAC; Henderson State's Ryan McDonnell ranks second in field goals per game and field goal percentage, trailing only Arkansas Tech's Fernando Ventura.

Kick returner Taylin Paskel leads the conference and ranks 11th in Division II in total return yardage. Paskel, who returns both kickoffs and punts, leads the league with 496 combined return yards.

THE OPPONENT: ARKANSAS TECH

Arkansas Tech's offensive numbers are much improved from a season ago. The Wonder Boys rank fourth in the GAC in total offense, averaging 403.7 yards per game, just 90 yards behind the league-leading Reddies.

ATU's scoring numbers reflect their improved offense: they have scored 20 or more points in five of their seven games so far this season, and they rank fifth in the GAC with a 29.6 points per game average. 

Tech has found its way on the ground over the last two weeks; the Wonder Boys have rushed for 361 and 370 yards, accounting for 10 touchdowns in just two games. The team ran for its season-high 370 yards against Southern Arkansas last week on 47 carries, and rushed for 15 of its 19 first downs in the win.

The ATU defense has been susceptible to high-powered offenses, particularly evident in the 58-56 loss to East Central two weeks ago. Tech allows 239.1 yards per game through the air (11th in the GAC) and 204 yards per game on the ground (6th in the league).

Arkansas Tech has several individual standouts, namely quarterback Carter Hensley; the signal-caller leads the conference with a 66.1 percent completion percentage and is third in passing yards and passing yards per game. Kicker Fernando Ventura leads the GAC and is 18th in the nation in field goal percentage, making 81.8 percent of his attempts, while running back Tracy Daniels is top-five in the conference in rushing touchdowns and yards.

THE COACHING MATCHUP 

Reddie coach Greg Holsworth sits alone in seventh place all-time with 22 wins as head football coach. He passed Bo Sherman with a week six win over NWOSU, and holds the highest win percentage of any coach in program history (minimum five games).

Roy Thompson is in his second year as head coach at Arkansas Tech after spending 12 years at Ouachita Baptist in two different stints; those terms were broken up by two seasons at Mendocino (Cal.) College. Thompson also spent time as an assistant at Highland (Kan.) Community College and Belhaven University (Miss.).

LIVE STATS AND ADDITIONAL LIVE COVERAGE 

Visit hsusports.com/coverage to view live stats and video coverage. This week's game will stream for free on the Henderson State Sports Network, presented by Oaklawn.