Box Score

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The upset-minded Southern Arkansas football team took on unbeaten and nationally-ranked No. 4 Henderson State on Saturday afternoon, but the top team in the Great American Conference put SAU's thoughts of an upset to bed with a 21-point third quarter en route to a 66-24 win.
 
The Muleriders (5-4, 5-4 GAC) were the first to score in the game that saw a combined 90 points as SAU kicker Austin Shoemake made good on a 24-yard field goal with 7:01 left in the first quarter.
 
Just under two minutes later, the Reddies (10-0, 9-0 GAC) matched SAU's opening score with a 27-yard field goal from Charles Gonsalves. Following a fumble on the first play of SAU's next possession, Henderson took a lead they would not relinquish as they used five plays to cover 19 yards for their first touchdown of the game. Minutes later, HSU added another touchdown to take a 17-3 first quarter lead.
 
With 11:49 remaining in the second quarter, SAU pulled to within seven points, 17-10, as Tyler Sykora hooked up with Chris Terry from six yards out. From there, however, the Reddies, the top scoring team in Division II, would put the game away as they rattled off 42 unanswered points from the middle of the second quarter to the middle of fourth quarter.
 
The Muleriders would break that scoring run by the Reddies with 6:12 left in the fourth quarter as Sykora found Josh Proffit in the end zone from nine yards out. The Reddies and the Muleriders would trade scores before the end of the game with SAU's score being the final one of the game as backup quarterback Si Blackshire connected with Tevin McDonald for a 21-yard touchdown pass.
 
The Muleriders will now return home for their final game of the season as they will play host to Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday, November 16. Kickoff for the game is set for 2 p.m. That game will also be Senior Day at Wilkins Stadium as 21 of the SAU football players will play their final home game as Muleriders.