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Football

Game Notes: Henderson State vs. Arkansas-Monticello

(RV) Henderson State (2-0) vs. Arkansas-Monticello (0-2) 
GeoSurfaces Field at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium | Arkadelphia, Ark. | 6:00 p.m. 
Live Video | Live Stats | Game Notes
 
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. -- Henderson State returns to Carpenter-Haygood Stadium for the second consecutive week for a Family Day matchup against Arkansas-Monticello. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. 

REDDIES REPORT: OFFENSE 
The Reddie offense is setting high expectations early in the season. The team ranks first in Division II in scoring offense (61.5 ppg) and total offense (593.0 ypg) and ranks third in rushing offense (336 yards per game).

In Saturday's win, Henderson State eclipsed the 400-yard mark for the first time since October 30, 2004, a 34-20 win at West Alabama.

Only one of the Reddies eight rushers went over 100 yards on the night: Chris Gannaway, who ran nine times for 105 yards. Myron Thrash was the only player to run for more than one touchdown. Bo Simpson carried the ball the most, with 12 carries for 94 yards.

Taylin Paskel was the star of the receiving game on Saturday, hauling in four catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns. The team as a whole accounted for 176 yards on 12 catches.

Austin Ledbetter and Jordan Walker shared snaps for a majority of the day for HSU; the two signal-callers went a combined 12-of-18 for 176 yards and two touchdowns while running for a combined 105 yards and a touchdown on seven rushes.

REDDIES REPORT: DEFENSE 
The Reddie defense stood strong through three quarters in Saturday's win before yielding its lone touchdown of the night to the Bison. The defense was responsible for a touchdown of its own, when a wild Oklahoma Baptist snap sailed over quarterback Brady Bricker's head and was recovered in the end zone by Henderson's Amarion Pulliaum.

Ten different HSU players have recorded at least five tackles through two games. Sophomore linebacker Reuben Ingram still leads the team with 13, while Ingram and Mulumba Wa-Kalonji both have 2.5 tackles for loss.

The bend-but-don't-break defense has worked for Henderson through two weeks; the team is the 19th-best scoring defense in Division II. The key for the Reddies has been keeping opposing teams out of the red zone: 80 percent of drives where opponents end up inside the HSU 20-yard line have resulted in points.

REDDIES REPORT: SPECIAL TEAMS 
The special teams unit has had an up-and-down first two weeks; three extra points have been missed, with two botched snaps resulting in unsuccessful two-point conversions.

Conversely, the Reddies have only had to punt one time this season, in last week's game, Pierce Rogers unleashed a 30-yard punt that included two Oklahoma Baptist penalties, neither of which would have given HSU a first down.

THE OPPONENT: ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO
Arkansas-Monticello enters Saturday's game with a 0-2 record after a season-opening home loss against Southeastern and a road loss at East Central last week. The Weevils kept up with the Tiger offense before falling 42-38.

Quarterback Drew Forkner is arguably UAM's best player: the senior quarterback ranks first in the GAC in completions per game and fourth in completion percentage. He also ranks second in passing yards and passing yards per game.

Wide receiver Michael Lott is Forkner's top target, ranking second in the league with 6.5 receptions per game, 95 receiving yards per game, and 190 total receiving yards. He accumulated 236 yards and a touchdown in 2025.

Dave Alston is the leading rusher for the Boll Weevils, running for 73.5 yards per game. The senior rushed for a career high 117 yards in last week's loss to East Central.

Defensively, UAM ranks seventh in total defense, surrendering 405 yards per game, and eighth in scoring defense, allowing 31.5 points per game.
 
THE COACHING MATCHUP 
With Saturday night's win, Reddie coach Greg Holsworth moved into 10th place all-time in wins at Henderson State. With a win this week, Holsworth will tie both Jim Mack Sawyer and Ronnie Kerr for ninth place with 19 career wins.

Gary Goff was named the 26th head coach in UAM history on December 11th. Goff previously served as head coach at McNeese State, Tiffin, and Valdosta State, where he led the Blazers to the 2021 Division II Championship game. He previously served as an assistant coach at West Virginia Wesleyan, Princeton, and Southeastern Louisana.
 
LIVE STATS AND ADDITIONAL LIVE COVERAGE 
Visit hsusports.com/coverage to view live stats and video coverage. Live, free video coverage will be provided on the Henderson State Sports Network, presented by Oaklawn.  
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Players Mentioned

Chris Gannaway

#6 Chris Gannaway

RB
5' 9"
Senior
Austin Ledbetter

#18 Austin Ledbetter

QB
6' 1"
Fifth Year
Taylin Paskel

#1 Taylin Paskel

WR
5' 11"
Junior
Amarion Pulliaum

#8 Amarion Pulliaum

DE
6' 3"
Sophomore
Pierce Rogers

#46 Pierce Rogers

K/P
6' 0"
Sophomore
Bo Simpson

#21 Bo Simpson

RB
5' 8"
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
Reuben Ingram

#10 Reuben Ingram

LB
5' 10"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Chris Gannaway

#6 Chris Gannaway

5' 9"
Senior
RB
Austin Ledbetter

#18 Austin Ledbetter

6' 1"
Fifth Year
QB
Taylin Paskel

#1 Taylin Paskel

5' 11"
Junior
WR
Amarion Pulliaum

#8 Amarion Pulliaum

6' 3"
Sophomore
DE
Pierce Rogers

#46 Pierce Rogers

6' 0"
Sophomore
K/P
Bo Simpson

#21 Bo Simpson

5' 8"
Junior
RB
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
Reuben Ingram

#10 Reuben Ingram

5' 10"
Sophomore
LB