ADA – While scoring more points than any other team this season against the No. 7 team in the nation and forcing four sacks against an offense that had allowed just one in the previous three games, the East Central University football team fell 27-44 to Henderson State at Norris Field.

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The Tigers (2-2, 2-2 GAC) tallied 321 total offensive yards in the game, with senior JoJo Snell leading the charge with 197 all-purpose yards.  Snell garnered 140 on kick returns, 61 rushing and six receiving yards in the game.  Redshirt sophomore David Massuere hit two field goals in the first half in distances of 40 and 38 yards.

A strong showing by the defense was led by senior Daniel Holland.  Holland earned two sacks for 14 yards, 2.5 tackles-for-loss (14 yards) and 2.5 total tackles.  Junior Jameel Whitney added a team-high 11.5 tackles, while senior JuJu Turituri earned a sack (7 yards) and 4.0 tackles.

The Reddies (4-0, 3-0 GAC) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard with a field goal and a touchdown in the first quarter for a 0-10 advantage.

ECU tied the game at 10 in the second quarter.  Massuere earned his first field goal of the day (40 yards) at 14:12 in the second quarter.  Junior Spencer Bond then capped off a nine-play, 46-yard scoring drive at 11:06 with a two yard rushing TD on a fake field goal setup.

HSU responded at 6:41 in the second quarter with a touchdown and a second at 1:57 for a 10-24 lead.  In the final minutes in the half, the Tigers pushed down the field to set up a 38-yard field goal by Massuere as time ran out for a 13-24 score at the half.

The Reddies added a field goal at 9:34 in the third quarter and ECU responded with a touchdown at 6:11.  Bond connected with sophomore David Moore for a six-yard pass that capped off a quick two-play, eight yard drive.

The Tigers had garnered great field position at the eight yard line after a blocked punt from the end zone was recovered by senior Deon Criss.

The final score in the third quarter came from HSU, with a TD at 4:48 and a 20-34 lead.

The Reddies added a field goal and a touchdown in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter for a 20-44 advantage.

ECU made a final push in the final minutes of the game and earned the final TD of the game when Snell broke free for a 20-yard rushing touchdown, with 1:36 left to play for the 27-44 final.

The Tigers attempted and recovered an onside kick-off with 1:34 remaining, but were unable to reach the end zone.

ECU will now hit the road for two games and have a bye week before returning to Norris Field for Homecoming, Oct. 25.  The first game is set for Saturday, Oct. 4 at Southern Nazarene for a 7 p.m. kick-off.