It was a record-breaking performance for Henderson State as the Reddies opened the 2014 season with a 72-7 beating of Southern Nazarene, Saturday in Bethany, Okla.
The No. 8 Reddies broke several Great American Conference and HSU records including scoring 59 points in the first-half.
All-American and Harlon Hill candidate Kevin Rodgers only played the first-half and completed 27-of-36 passes for 408 yards and a HSU and GAC record-tying seven touchdown passes. Rodgers ties his own record set in 2012 against McKendree.
Rodgers went over the 300-yard plateau for the 20th time. The product of Rockwall, Texas went over the 400-yard mark for the 10th time in his 31 game career.
“It was a great team effort and the offense was just clicking from the start,” said Rodgers. “There are a couple of things we have to clean up, but the offensive line did a great job up front and our receivers ran great routes all night.”
The GAC and HSU all-time leading receiver Darius Davis also set a record with five touchdown receptions having 10 catches for 217 yards in two quarters of play.
The senior from Frisco, Texas had a 58-yard touchdown reception on the second play of the game, followed by a 10-yard score later in the opening quarter.
Davis scored three consecutive times in the second quarter have catches of 36, 45 and 11 yards.
“Coach put together a good scheme and prepared us well for this game,” said Davis. “Kevin is great quarterback and he puts it right in our pocket every time.”
A total of 10 different players had receptions including Joseph Snapp who had five catches for 86 yards. Snapp had a 36-yard reception for a touchdown to end the first quarter.
Mark Czaus picked up his first collegiate touchdown reception with a 20-yard catch midway through the first quarter. The junior from Garland, Texas had three catches for 47 yards.
Dallas Hardison took over duties at quarterback to begin the second-half, while most of the first team watched the remainder of the game from the sideline.
The sophomore from Bentonville completed 8 of 12 passes for 156 yards.
Hardison connected with Dustin Holland for a 28-yard score, and also hit a wide-open Adrian Tucker who broke free for 82 yards to record his first collegiate touchdown. Tucker ended the game with three receptions for 100.
The Reddies ended the game with 661 yards of total offense including 584 passing yards. Rodgers and Hardison combined for nine touchdown passes which set a new GAC record.
Henderson’s defense was equally impressive allowing Southern Nazarene just 277 yards of offensive, while recording five sacks, two interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Donovan McLeod had five tackles including a pair of tackles for lost yardage, while Jonathan Edouard added five tackles as well.
Gary Vines had a 35-yard interception return to set up a Jaquan Cole 3-yard score, with Cameron Deveraux also having a 29-yard interception which later resulted in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Davis.
“We played well for our first game, but there are still several things we need to work on,” said Reddie coach Scott Maxfield. “Another good thing was that all 60 players got in the game and all got significant playing time which will help us as the season continues.”
Henderson State will next travel to Thibodaux, La. To face Division I FCS opponent Nicholls State on Saturday with kickoff set for 6 p.m.
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