Reddies Beat Wonder Boys 45-14
Henderson State used 556 yards of total offense to roll past Arkansas Tech, 45-14, in the 2013 Murphy USA Boomtown Classic in El Dorado, Ark.
With the win, the fifth-ranked Reddies takes over sole possession of first-place in the Great American Conference and is the only collegiate team in the state of Arkansas that remains unbeaten.
HSU quarterback Kevin Rodgers surpassed the 300-yard mark for the 15th time in his career, completing 19-of-31 passes, for 358 yards and three touchdown strikes.
Wide receiver Darius Davis had a career best 156 yards on four receptions, including touchdowns catches for 45 and 83 yards.
Henderson State, 7-0 overall and 6-0 the GAC, scored on its first possession as Keaton Stigger scored his 10th rushing touchdown of the season from two yards out to make the score 7-0 with 11:07 to play in the first quarter.
The Reddies went on top 14-0 with Robert Jordan‘s 65-yard reception from Rodgers early in the second period.
Henderson State added a field goal just before halftime when Charles Gonsalves kicked a 26-yard FG with 1:26 left. The score was setup by a fake punt as Mark Czaus hit Joseph Snapp for a 48-yard reception down to the Wonder Boy 7-yard line.
The second half began with the Reddie defense forcing a three-and-out to setup a 4-play, 60-yard score as Davis, who was in double coverage, hauled in his first touchdown reception from 45-yards out.
Henderson State added two more touchdowns in the third quarter getting a two-yard run from Kevin Nichols and then recorded the longest pass play of the year as Rodgers hit Davis for an 83-yard score to extend the Reddie lead 38-0.
Following an Arkansas Tech touchdown, backup quarterback Dallas Hardison connected with James Jackson for a 15-yard score for Henderson’s final touchdown.
The Reddie defense limited the Arkansas Tech offense to 306 yards of total offense. The Wonder Boys were held to 26 yards rushing on 29 attempts.
Chris King led the Reddie defense with 11 tackles, including a pass breakup, while Ricardo Mendez and Stigger had nine tackles each.
Mendez also recorded a forced fumble and fumble recovery, while Vincent Thompson picked off a Luke Halpin pass.
Aside from Davis’ big night, Jordan, HSU’s all-time receiving leader, had 70 yards on five receptions, while Dustin Holland had 51 yards on two catches.
Henderson State will next travel to Searcy, Ark. to face Harding next Saturday with kickoff slated for 2 p.m.