ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The East Central University football team hit the road for a pivotal Great American Conference matchup against Henderson State University on Saturday as both teams entered the matchup tied for second in the league standings at 6-3. Despite a strong second-half push, the Tigers were unable to erase an early deficit, falling 45-35 in a hard-fought contest.
 
The Tigers move to 6-4 on the season and will now turn their attention to their final game in the Great American Classic showdown, presented by Simmons Bank, against rival Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant on Saturday, Nov. 15 at noon.
 
After the Reddies struck first midway through the opening quarter, the Tigers answered with a lengthy 84-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run from Quincy Thompson to even the score at 7-7.
 
However, HSU responded in the second quarter with two unanswered touchdowns, taking control of the game and building a 21-7 lead at the half.
 
Momentum began to swing in the third quarter when Sergio Kennedy broke loose for a 54-yard touchdown run that cut the deficit to 28-14. The Reddies quickly countered with a 95-yard kickoff return that briefly halted the Tigers' surge, but ECU refused to back down. Xavier Gordon connected with Darwin Parker for a 42-yard touchdown strike to pull the Tigers within 35-21 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
HSU added a short field goal early in the final frame to go up 38-21, but Kennedy answered once again with a one-yard touchdown run to make it a 10-point game. Every ECU push was met with a response, though, as another late touchdown extended the deficit to 45-28. Kennedy then capped the Tigers' scoring effort with an 83-yard touchdown pass to Brooks Rigney, bringing ECU within 45-35. Despite the late rally, the early hole proved too deep to climb out of as time expired.
 
Despite outgaining Henderson State 509 to 400 in total offense and producing strong numbers both on the ground and through the air, ECU came up short. Two lost fumbles and a kickoff return touchdown put the Tigers in difficult positions, while the Reddies not only scored on all six red-zone trips but also executed their drives more efficiently throughout the game.
 
Sergio Kennedy completed 22 of 35 passes for 283 yards, including a long touchdown of 83 yards. Kennedy also led the ground attack with 79 rushing yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns.
 
Quincy Thompson was next with 18 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown, providing a steady rushing attack alongside Kennedy.
 
Brooks Rigney led ECU's receiving corps with three catches for 103 yards, including an 83-yard touchdown. Darwin Parker also made a big impact with two receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown, while Xavier Gordon and Bryce Bodkin added key contributions with 52 and 57 yards, respectively.
 
Defensively, Keebler Wagoner led the team with 11 total tackles, while Treveon Tutt added nine. Michael Onwuzurike made an impact in the backfield with two tackles for loss and two sacks, also recording a quarterback hurry. Christopher Campbell contributed a sack and a tackle for loss, while Oladotun Olanipekun and Terry Lewis II each had a pass breakup.