Nationally seventh-ranked Henderson State University remained undefeated on the season and tied for first place in the Great American Conference standings with a 27-20 victory over Arkansas Tech University at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville on Saturday night.
Quarterback Evan Lassiter completed 26-of-37 passes for 311 yards to lead the Reddies (5-0) to their 25th consecutive road victory, a streak that dates back to 2011 and now stands alone as the longest such active streak in NCAA Division II football after Minnesota State University’s 34-31 loss at Winona State University on Saturday.
Two first-half touchdown passes from Lassiter to Al Lasker combined with a pair of Houston Ray field goals helped the Reddies build a 20-10 halftime lead.
Arkansas Tech’s Kristian Thompson tossed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Chris Eastburn with 5:16 left in the first quarter and Eric Perez made a 30-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter to leave the Wonder Boys within 10 points of the lead heading to the third quarter.
Henderson State stretched its lead to 27-10 with a seven-play, 71-yard scoring drive on its first possession of the second half. Jeremy Wilson covered the final three yards for his sixth rushing touchdown of 2016.
Arkansas Tech (2-3) made it interesting in the fourth quarter with a 39-yard field goal by Eric Perez at the 13:34 mark and a 31-yard touchdown pass from Jabyes Cross to J.V. Davis with 1:23 remaining.
The Reddies sealed the win when Lasker recovered an onside kick by the Wonder Boys with 1:20 left.
Tech’s Bryan Allen carried 20 times for 97 yards and Cross completed 15-of-19 passes for 184 yards. D’Vonta Derricott led the Arkansas Tech defense with 11 tackles.
Dondre Wright made a game-high 15 tackles for Henderson State, which will face Harding University (5-0) with first place in the GAC on the line on Saturday, Oct. 8.
The Wonder Boys will visit Ouachita Baptist University for a 1 p.m. GAC contest at Cliff Harris Stadium in Arkadelphia on Saturday, Oct. 8. Radio station KCJC 102.3 and www.arkansastechnews.com will provide live coverage.
