ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – SWOSU Football absorbed an early strike from No. 19 Henderson State, answered with its best offensive performance of the season and carried a lead into the fourth quarter before the Reddies rallied for a 38-33 win Saturday afternoon.
SWOSU finished with season highs in points and total offense, producing 457 yards while outgaining a Henderson State unit that entered the week ranked second in NCAA Division II at 550 yards per game. The Bulldogs rushed for 216 yards, averaged seven yards per play and did not allow a sack, while holding the Reddies to a season-low 455 yards.
Henderson State opened the game with an 87-yard touchdown pass on its first offensive play, but the Bulldogs did not allow the fast start to dictate the afternoon. SWOSU settled in defensively, forcing a punt and a turnover on downs on the Reddies' next two possessions to keep the deficit at 7-0 through the opening quarter.
That response gave the Bulldog offense time to find its footing.
Ethan McBee opened the scoring with a 33-yard field goal before Henderson State stretched its lead to 14-3 midway through the second quarter.
SWOSU answered by closing the half with 10 straight points.
Red Martel broke free for a 37-yard touchdown run to finish a three-play, 77-yard drive before
Madox Sekyere forced and recovered a fumble with 2:08 remaining. The Bulldogs turned the takeaway into a 58-yard drive and a 20-yard McBee field goal, trimming the margin to 14-13 at halftime.
The back-and-forth continued in the third quarter. After a Henderson State field goal,
Braxton Etheridge connected with
Michael Doctor for a 43-yard touchdown that gave SWOSU its first lead at 20-17. The Reddies answered, but
Keith Rockwell swung momentum back with a 73-yard touchdown run that sent the Bulldogs into the fourth quarter ahead 27-24.
SWOSU's defense opened the final period by forcing consecutive three-and-outs, but the offense could not build on the lead. Henderson State eventually broke through with a 75-yard touchdown drive to move back in front with 9:08 remaining. An interception on the Bulldogs' next possession gave the Reddies a short field, which they converted into another score and a 38-27 advantage.
Henderson State's ability to sustain drives proved critical during the comeback. The Reddies converted 10-of-17 third downs, while SWOSU finished 2-of-14 despite its season-best offensive output.
The Bulldogs still did not go quietly. Etheridge guided a 10-play, 75-yard drive and found
Jaiden Dozier for a 3-yard touchdown on fourth down with 1:21 remaining. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful, and Henderson State recovered the ensuing onside kick to preserve the five-point win.
Etheridge completed 17-of-28 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Doctor led SWOSU with 76 receiving yards and a score, while
DeAndre Beasley caught a team-high five passes for 46 yards. Rockwell rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown on four carries, while Martel added 68 yards and a score.
Defensively, SWOSU forced three fumbles, recovered one and recorded three sacks with eight tackles for loss.
Maddux Boyd led the Bulldogs with nine tackles.
Keith Hargraves recorded two sacks and forced a fumble, while Sekyere finished with five tackles, a forced fumble and a recovery.
SWOSU (1-4) returns home next Saturday, October 10, to host Southern Arkansas. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Flex-Chem Field.
