Reddies Rally to Knock Off First-Place SAU 36-30

[Seminole Indian]

Henderson State put up 22 fourth-quarter points to rally and knock off first-place Southern Arkansas 36-30, Saturday at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium/Ruggles Field.

Playing in front of a nationally televised crowd on ESPN3, the Reddies rallied from a 24-14 third-quarter deficit to end a five-game home losing skid.

Trailing 30-21 with 13:05 to play in the game following an 8-yard interception return for a touchdown by SAU's Darren Crawford, the Reddies got a big boost on the ensuing kickoff from Melvin Walters as he returned the kick 68 yards down to the SAU 27 to set up a Henderson score.

On the fourth play from scrimmage, Andrew Black scored from two yards out to cut the deficit to 30-28.

Henderson's defense stepped to the forefront on SAU's next drive as the Muleriders faced a 4th-and-1 at the Henderson 29. Keiandre Purifoy was stopped just short of the line to gain as Robert Thomas and Brandon Quinterro denied the Mulerider running back.

Henderson was unable to capitalize, but Evan Lassiter booted a 42-yard punt down to SAU 4. The Reddie defense again held, forcing the Muleriders to punt. Means' kick traveled just 19 yards and Henderson took over on the SAU 30 with 2:51 left to play.

It took just two plays for the Reddies to take the lead as Lassiter hit Ben Johnson for a 30-yard score with 2:03 remaining. Henderson elected to go for two with Lassiter connecting with AJ Smith to put the Reddies on top 36-30.

The game rested in the hands of the Reddie defense as SAU managed to move the ball out to its 40. However, Quinterro chased down Renner forcing the Mulerider quarterback to lose the football with Quinterro coming up with the loose ball to secure the victory for Henderson.

The Reddies, 5-4 on the year, scored on their opening drive of the game as Lassiter dove in from a yard out to cap off a 7-play, 80-yard drive.

SAU, 6-3 on the season, answered late in the opening quarter as Renner connected with Jared Lancaster for a 49-yard score to even the score at 7-7.

The Muleriders took the lead on their next possession when Michael Nunnery scored from 12 yards out with 11:47 left in the half to give SAU a 14-7.
Henderson tied the score just before half as Lassiter orchestrated a 12-play, 52-yard drive with Blake Faulk rushing to pay dirt from the 4-yardline.

Henderson State was held scoreless in the third quarter with Southern Arkansas putting up a pair of scores to go on top 24-14 at the end of three periods.
Renner hit Karonce Higgins with a 1-yard pitch pass followed by a 27-yard field goal by Bradford Grems.

The Reddies scored on the first play of the fourth quarter as Johnson made an acrobatic catch from 13 yards out to make the score 24-21 with 14:55 remaining in the game.

Lassiter completed 16-of-24 passes for 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The senior from Coral Springs, Fla. also had a rushing score to his credited.

Faulk led the Reddie ground game with 75 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, while Cecil Langston had 48 yards on 12 attempts.

Johnson had two catches for the Reddies for 43 yards with both receptions being for touchdowns. Black had four grabs for 40 yards, while Faulk had one catch for 39 yards.

Henderson's defense was stellar limiting one of the top offenses in the GAC to just 341 yards of total offense with Sam Johnson leading the way with seven tackles, two for lost yardage and a pair of quarterback hurries.

Logan Edwards, Byron Miller and Henry Davis also had seven tackles each. Quinterro finished with five stops, one for lost yardage and the fumble recovery that led the Reddies to the win.

Henderson State will hit the road next week to take on Arkansas-Monticello with kickoff slated for 3 p.m. in Monticello, Ark.

http://www.hsusports.com/news/2017/10/28/football-reddies-rally-to-knock-off-first-place-sau-36-30.aspx