ARKADELPHIA — No. 9 Henderson State got big days from quarterback Adam Morse and receiver L’liott Curry, as the Reddies cruised past East Central 59-24 on Saturday at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium and Ruggles Field. The win improves HSU to 6-0 on the year, which matches the best start for the program since 2014.

Morse was phenomenal and finished 20-of-30 through the air for 357 yards and six touchdowns. The senior from Groves, Texas also ran for another score. Curry was equally spectacular for the Reddies and grabbed eight passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns. He now has 23 receiving touchdowns in 18 career games at HSU.

The Henderson offense had its way throughout the contest on Saturday afternoon and racked up 559 yards on 75 plays, including 202 yards on the ground. The Reddies scored on touchdown passes of 17, 17, 19 and 49 yards in the first half and led 35-7 after 30 minutes of play. 

The Tigers (4-2) did their best to make a game of it in the third quarter and scored on back-to-back drives to cut a once 31-point deficit down to 38-17. That was as close as ECU would get, however, as back-to-back touchdown catches from Curry and Xavier Malone reestablished a five-score advantage for the Reddies. The outcome was never in doubt down the stretch and Henderson improved to 6-0 on the year.

The Reddie defense forced three turnovers in the win and got two interceptions from Dedric O’Bryant, who now has four on the season. Jayden Ford had a sack, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries in the contest, while Jacob Greenfield led the team with six tackles.

Duce Sproles found the end zone for the sixth-straight game on a 17-yard catch and run in the first half. Mike Benning also had a touchdown catch for the third-straight contest on a 19-yard shovel pass. Back-up quarterback Landon Ledbetter scored Henderson’s final touchdown, which was his third rushing score of the year. 

HSU has now scored 55 or more points in four of its six games this season and is averaging 47.7 points per game. 

Henderson State faces its toughest test of the season next Saturday when it hosts No. 21 Harding (5-1) at 2 p.m. for Homecoming at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium and Ruggles Field.