Points in bunches for HSU

As if Henderson State needed more ways to score points.

The Reddies entered last week’s game against Southeastern Oklahoma State averaging a Great American Conference-best 61 points per game.

Henderson State, ranked No. 17 in this week’s American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division II poll, then scored 56 points in just 16 minutes, 55 seconds of possession against the Savage Storm.

The Reddies did that with a special teams unit that’s becoming just about as potent as their Spread offense, which averages a league-best 503.2 yards per game.

Robert Jordan returned punts of 69 and 85 yards for touchdowns, and Chuck Obi returned a blocked punt for another score to prove sophomore quarterback Kevin Rodgers, who leads Division II with 19 touchdown passes, doesn’t even need to be on the field for them to pile up points.

“Anytime you can get some extra points in that area of the game, that’s always a plus,” Reddies Coach Scott Maxfield said.

Jordan gave them plenty last Saturday.

The senior from Miami was a part-time punt returner last year but took the job this year after Nick Johnson was signed to the St. Louis Rams’ practice squad.

His first return for a touchdown Saturday went for 85 yards and gave Henderson State (3-0, 2-0) a 14-0 lead. His second came in the middle of an 11-minute, 33second stretch in which the Reddies ran only two offensive plays because of a 75-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Darius Davis, Jordan’s return and Obi’s fumble return.

But Jordan’s first return was the most impressive.

He received the punt at the 15, went to his left, was hit before rolling over a would-be tackler, then found the home sideline and ran untouched the rest of the way.

Israel Valentin also returned the opening kickoff against Arkansas Tech for a score on Sept. 15, and Jordan’s 22.6 average yards per punt return is fifth-best in Division II.

“Robert’s done a lot better with his decision-making,” Maxfield said. “He’s one of those guys that thinks he can score anytime he touches the ball. Which can be good and bad.”