ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – After a fast start in the first quarter, the East Central University football team was unable to maintain the momentum, falling 41-13 to Henderson State University in the 2023 season opener Thursday night at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium.
"It is a tough way to start, but there is a new opportunity tomorrow that we have to attack," Interim Head Coach
John Litrenta said. "We have to be able to take the positives, build off them, and then learn from the negatives. All three phases must play complimentary football. This team will respond, and they understand what it takes."
The Tigers drew first blood after junior quarterback,
Traair Edwards, threw a 37-yard touchdown strike to
C.J. Moore halfway through the first quarter. The touchdown capped a six-play, 64-yard drive that started at the Henderson 36-yard line following a Reddies botched field goal attempt.
Henderson answered back, scoring the next 10 points on a 22-yard field goal and a 5-yard touchdown pass to take their first lead of the night.
Trailing 10-7, Edwards connected to
Jackson Allen for an 8-yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers back on top 13-10.
With the first half winding down, Henderson scored 14 unanswered points, including a 41-yard touchdown pass with 24 seconds on the clock to put the Reddies up 24-13. ECU was unable to find the endzone in the second half as Henderson pulled away for the victory.
ECU quarterback
Traair Edwards threw for 196 yards, completing 19 of 27 attempts, with two touchdown passes while adding 54 yards rushing to pace the offense in his debut as a Tiger.
C.J. Moore had a team-best 98 receiving yards on six catches, with one touchdown, while
Dior Scott collected seven catches for 54 yards.
Devon Roush led the Tiger defense with 12 tackles, a sack, and forced a fumble while
Darian Williams added seven stops.
Henderson finished with 400 yards of total offense while ECU totaled 293 yards in the game: 226 in the air and 67 on the ground.
The Tigers (0-1 GAC) are scheduled to host the Southern Arkansas Muleriders (1-0 GAC) for their home opener at Koi Ishto Stadium/Norris Field Thursday, Sept. 7, at 6 pm.
