ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (3-1) defeated the 24^th  ranked Henderson State University Reddies (3-1) for the fourth-straight year under Head Coach Brad Smiley by a final score of 24-21 on Saturday night in Arkadelphia.
 
The Reddies opened the game with a long touchdown drive to take an early lead and make the game appear as though it had the making of an old-fashioned shootout as HSU took a 7-0 lead with 8:38 left in the first quarter.
 
Despite the opening strike from the Reddies to begin the game, the Muleriders went on offense and drove to the HSU 17-yard line before stalling out and being forced to bring Hayden Nitz onto the field who converted the 34-yard field goal, as the Muleriders cut into the HSU lead, 7-3 Reddies.
 
The Mulerider defense then forced a Reddies punt to open the second quarter. The Blue and Gold then started their possession at their own 11-yard line and mounted a 15-play touchdown drive that was capped off by a 1-yard Hezekiah Harris rushing touchdown. With 8:47 to go in the second quarter, SAU led 10-7.
 
HSU did not let the Muleriders lead last long as they completed a 91-yard touchdown pass to retake the lead with 7:58 to go in the second quarter. The Muleriders then responded taking back the lead as Hezekiah Harris ran it in from 4 yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the day, retaking the lead 17-14 with 5:17 to go before the half.
 
The defense then forced a quick three and out as SAU took over with 3:35 to go and a chance to extend their lead. The Blue and Gold drove down to the HSU 1-yard line and was stuffed as HSU took over at their own 1-yard line with 47 seconds to go. The Reddies were unable to put any points up before the half and the Muleriders took a 17-14 lead into halftime.
 
The entirety of the third quarter was a defensive slug fest as both teams were held scoreless. With HSU driving to end the third quarter, they opened the fourth up with a touchdown to retake the lead, 21-17 with 14:12 remaining in the contest.
 
The Muleriders then took a lead with 9:27 to go in the contest as Arkez Gomez capped off an 11-play touchdown drive scoring his first rushing touchdown of the game as SAU took a 24-21 lead. The Blue and Gold's defense then bowed their necks forcing Henderson to punt with 6:00 minutes to go.
 
SAU's offense then went on a 12-play drive that was stalled out leaving just six seconds for the Reddies to have a last-ditch effort to win the game. The Reddies did all they could at the end, but came up short as SAU walked out of Arkadelphia with a victory.
 
Next Up:
The Muleriders will travel to Alva, Oklahoma next Saturday, October 4th to play the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers. Kickoff is set for 2:00 PM.
 
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