ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Kevin Rodgers and Henderson State got off to a quick start against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday and came up with a win on their home turf, 63-14.
Ty Hooper found four different receivers that caught passes for over 25 yards in the game with HSU with Tamarick Courtney and Alex DeLaCruz both pulling down five receptions for 62 and 28 yards respectively. Hooper was 17-41 with three interceptions for 228 yards and a touchdown.
The big receiver on the day however went to Dashawn Gordon who caught four passes for 86 yards including a 66 yard touchdown pass from Hooper.
Malcom Robinson and Justin Lord carried the load on the ground picking up 44 and 25 yards to lead the Rangers rushing attack.
The Reddies were incredibly efficient throughout the game gaining 619 yards of total offense on 90 plays, good enough for 6.9 yards per play.
The Harlon Hill frontrunner, Kevin Rodgers had a banner day completing 76 percent of his passes for 296 yards along with four touchdowns. Rodgers was picked in the game however by Jordan Norris.
The Reddies won the toss to open the game, but the Ranger defense bowed up to the seventh ranked team in the land, forcing them to punt after a quick three and out.
Northwestern was unable to capitalize on the defensive success, going three and out as well, but once again the black cloud defense flexed their muscles making the hosts punt again.
An incredible punt by HSU's Latoof pinned the Rangers back on their own three yard line, but Hooper found a way to get a first down, after which Northwestern ended up punting again.
Five plays was all it took for Henderson State to drive down the field and put the first of many points on the board after a slant pass from Rodgers to Joseph Snapp for the score.
Another three and out cost the visitors, allowing the Reddies to find the endzone for the second time leading to a 14-0 first quarter score.
One play into the second quarter spelled trouble for the young Ranger quarterback as his first pass was intercepted by Kenrick Burns who returned it for 19 yards down to the Northwestern 24 yard line.
Four plays later, Henderson State made the score 17-0, the first points of four straight scoring drives.
A Houston Ray field goal gave the home team a 43-0 lead going into halftime.
After playing defense in the first half of play, Northwestern's offense took the field and drove 83 yards for the score including the 66 yard pass to Gordon for the first score for the Rangers.
Neither team scored the rest of the third quarter as both defenses showed up to play, shutting down the offenses.
HSU didn't take long to get started in the final quarter however scoring on their next three drives to make it 60-7.
Robinson broke free for a huge 36 yard scamper putting the visitors on the board for the second time in the game making the score 60-14.
A long 10 play drive for the Reddies ended disappointing for the hosts as they just converted a field goal, ultimately ending the game 63-14 in favor of Henderson State.
The Rangers return home for Military Appreciation Day next weekend when Ouachita Baptist comes to town. The game with the Tigers is slated to start at 1 p.m.
