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Game Notes: Henderson State vs. Southeastern Oklahoma State

#18 Henderson State (7-1) vs. Southeastern Oklahoma State (6-2) 
Carpenter-Haygood Stadium and GeoSurfaces Field | Arkadelphia, Ark. | 1:00 p.m. 
Live Video | Live Stats | Game Notes
 
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. -- Henderson State survived a scare last week, needing a Corone Williams blocked field goal to secure a homecoming victory over Arkansas Tech, 28-27. Henderson State finds itself ranked seventh in the latest Super Region 4 NPI rankings, which determine what teams make the Division II Playoffs.
Southeastern Oklahoma State comes into Saturday riding a two-game win streak and posting a 6-2 overall record. The Savage Storm's losses have come to Ouachita Baptist and Harding. The Storm led the Bisons in Searcy after two consecutive defensive touchdowns in the first half, but were outscored 31-3 the rest of the game.

REDDIES REPORT: OFFENSE 

The Reddie offense continues its high-performing year. The team ranks first in the GAC and eighth in Division II in total offense, compiling 485.8 yards per game. HSU boasts the 23rd-best rush offense and the 16th-best passing offense in the country and are one of only four teams in the country to rank top 25 both on the ground and through the air.

Despite missing two games due to an injury, quarterback Austin Ledbetter continues to put up impressive passing numbers for the red and gray. The fifth-year ranks third in the country and first in the GAC with a 70.2 percent completion percentage and a 190.7 efficiency rating, third in the league with 12 passing touchdowns, fourth in the conference with 1,623 passing yards, and first in the league with 270.5 passing yards per game. His 16.39 yards per completion is sixth-best in Division II.

Ledbetter has spread the wealth this season, with four different receivers making significant contributions. Sophomore Maddox Davis leads the team with five receiving touchdowns (1st in GAC), 645 yards (2nd), and 5.88 receptions per game (1st). Michael Jones, Taylin Paskel, and Jerrale Powers all remain in the conference's top ten, ranking seventh in the league with three receiving touchdowns each.

Henderson's rushing attack is also a well-balanced one, with no one back dominating the carries. Chris Gannaway leads the team with 473 rushing yards (11th in the GAC), but five different Reddie players have run for at least 200 yards. Seven different Reddie players have at least one rushing touchdown this season, with Jordan Walker and Myron Thrash pacing the team with five scores each.

REDDIES REPORT: DEFENSE

The Henderson State defense ranks fourth in the GAC and 59th in Division II in total defense, ceding 340.9 yards per game. The team allows the third-fewest passing yards in the conference (155.4) and gives up the fifth-fewest yards on the ground (185.5).

This year's defense has made it a point to force turnovers whenever possible. HSU has forced 14 turnovers by opposing offenses, second-most in the league behind Southeastern Oklahoma, which has forced 17 turnovers.

HSU also seems to limit opposing teams through the air; the team ranks third in interceptions this season with 8 and second in opponent passer efficiency, with opposing quarterbacks held to just a 106.10 rating.

Mulumba Wa-Kalonji continues to pace the defense, ranking fifth in the GAC with 0.25 forced fumbles per game and 11th in the league with 0.44 sacks per game. Defensive back Kenny Mosley rose to seventh in the conference with 0.25 interceptions per game.

REDDIES REPORT: SPECIAL TEAMS 

Henderson's Corone Williams was named GAC Special Teams Player of the Week for last week's games thanks to his game-winning field goal block. Williams's block was the first of any scrimmage kick this season.

Fifth-year kicker Ryan McDonnell ranks sixth in the GAC in points per game, averaging seven. The Irishman's eight field goals and 32 extra points have gained him a total of 56 points in 2026.

THE OPPONENT: SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA

Southeastern Oklahoma boasts the best defense in the GAC. The team allows just 16.3 points per game, just over a point per game better than second-place Harding. The Storm have yielded the fewest touchdowns (17) and fewest extra points (14) of any team in the conference this season.

SEOSU's offense is the sixth-highest scoring offense in the league. They average 28 points per game, and most of those points come via touchdowns: the Storm have the fewest made field goals of any team in the league this season (3), which is tied with Northwestern Oklahoma for 11th-most.

Southeastern's offense is led by run-first quarterback Levay Duncan. The sophomore signal-caller throws for just 114.4 yards per game, but he is the 19th-best rusher in the conference, running for 39.1 yards per game and seven rushing touchdowns on 76 carries.

The Savage Storm's league-best defense is built on defending the pass. SEOSU has yielded just 149.5 yards per game through the air, only giving up five passing touchdowns. The team leads the league with 11 interceptions and has allowed the second-fewest yards (1196) in the conference.

Southeastern's Kameron Lockhart is one of the best return men in the GAC. The redshirt freshman leads the league in average, returning the ball for 35.9 yards per attempt. He has returned seven total kicks for 251 yards, but he has yet to score a return touchdown.

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).

Bo Atterbury is in the second stint of what has been a nine-year tenure at Southeastern. The former Savage Storm player returned as head coach in 2023 after leading the team from 2014-2018, including an appearance in the 2014 Texarkana Live United Bowl. Atterbury previously served as head coach at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

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. 
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Players Mentioned

Maddox Davis

#2 Maddox Davis

WR
5' 9"
Sophomore
Chris Gannaway

#6 Chris Gannaway

RB
5' 9"
Senior
Austin Ledbetter

#18 Austin Ledbetter

QB
6' 1"
Fifth Year
Ryan McDonnell

#41 Ryan McDonnell

K/P
6' 2"
Fifth Year
Kenny Mosley

#35 Kenny Mosley

DB
5' 11"
Sophomore
Taylin Paskel

#1 Taylin Paskel

WR
5' 11"
Junior
Myron Thrash

#32 Myron Thrash

RB
5' 9"
Sophomore
Mulumba Wa-Kalonji

#7 Mulumba Wa-Kalonji

DL
6' 1"
Senior
Jordan Walker

#13 Jordan Walker

QB
6' 0"
Sophomore
Corone Williams

#17 Corone Williams

DL
6' 4"
Fifth Year

Players Mentioned

Maddox Davis

#2 Maddox Davis

5' 9"
Sophomore
WR
Chris Gannaway

#6 Chris Gannaway

5' 9"
Senior
RB
Austin Ledbetter

#18 Austin Ledbetter

6' 1"
Fifth Year
QB
Ryan McDonnell

#41 Ryan McDonnell

6' 2"
Fifth Year
K/P
Kenny Mosley

#35 Kenny Mosley

5' 11"
Sophomore
DB
Taylin Paskel

#1 Taylin Paskel

5' 11"
Junior
WR
Myron Thrash

#32 Myron Thrash

5' 9"
Sophomore
RB
Mulumba Wa-Kalonji

#7 Mulumba Wa-Kalonji

6' 1"
Senior
DL
Jordan Walker

#13 Jordan Walker

6' 0"
Sophomore
QB
Corone Williams

#17 Corone Williams

6' 4"
Fifth Year
DL