ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Three turnovers and 469 yards of total offense by Henderson State spelled doom for Southeastern Oklahoma State in the season opener, as the Reddies rolled to a 44-13 win over the Savage Storm on Thursday night at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium in Arkadelphia, Ark.

Nick Hardesty completed 32-of-46 through the air for 355 yards and four scores to pace the Reddie offense.  Four different receivers found themselves on the receiving end of touchdown passes.

For SE, Logan Turner completed 26-of-48 for two scores and 205 yards in his first action as the Savage Storm starter.  His TD's went to Mike Hill and Caleb Jones, while Robbie Morris hauled in eight receptions for 83 yards.

HSU outgained the Storm by a 469-to-304 margin, mounting a 21-6 halftime lead before holding on for the win.

Southeastern will be back in action on September 11 when it hosts Incarnate Word in the home opener at 6 p.m. at Paul Laird Field, while the Reddies will hit the road for a September 4 road matchup at North Alabama.

 

Emporia State 27, Southwestern Oklahoma 7

WEATHERFORD - Southwestern Oklahoma State University had its moments but could not generate enough offensive fireworks before falling 27-7 to visiting Emporia State in the season-opening football game for both teams.

The Bulldogs were able to scratch out 177 yards of total offense and turned the ball over two times, including having two breakdowns in the punting game.

Emporia got 391 yards on the night, 226 of which were on the ground. ESU quarterback Tyler Eckenrode completed just eight-of-20 passes but two of which went for touchdowns, including a 69-yarder  that opened the game's scoring.

The Hornets built their margin to 21-0 midway through the second quarter before the Bulldogs got on the board. SWOSU linebacker Jaron Burgess scooped up a fumble at the Hornet's two-yard line and gave the Bulldogs a golden opportunity.

Two plays later Dwight Pete crashed in from one-yard out and SWOSU had ESU's lead trimmed to 21-7 with 9:31 to play in the first half.

SWOSU never really got close after that point. The Bulldogs went three-and-out on five of their final nine possessions and deepest penetration was the ESU 36-yard line.

The Hornets put the game away in the second half on a pair of field goals by Zackary King of 35 and 37 yards. Kings last put the Hornets up 24-7 with 9:03 to play.

SWOSU was led offensively by quarterback Mike Van De Ripe who came in for starter Dustin Stenta  after the third series. Van Deripe was 12-of-31 for 111 yards passing and picked up another 24 on the ground.

Defensively, SWOSU had a number of standouts including cornerback Marvin Tribble who came up with two pass interceptions and nearly a third if not being whistled for being out-of-bounds. Two players had double figures in tackles, safties Anthony Laws with 18 and Jonathan Darby added 15.

The Bulldogs will next play Saturday, Sept. 11 at home against West Texas A&M. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Fast Lane Field.