Carrollton, GA - Saturday's Homecoming game at University Stadium turned into an offensive explosion as the Henderson State Reddies spoiled the UWG event with a 50-30 victory over the Wolves in front of nearly 6,500 people.

Heading into the contest, the two teams were both averaging less than 300 yards per contest offensively. By the end of the afternoon, the Wolves and Reddies combined for more than 800 yards of offense, including over 400 yards on the ground.

The game started off on a sour note for West Georgia, as the Wolves went three plays and out on the opening drive of the contest.

That started a string of five straight drives combined with the two teams with a score.

The ensuing drive would be a look at what was to come in the game, as the Reddies marched 85 yards on 12 plays, ending with a 19-yard touchdown from running back Jarvis Smith.

West Georgia responded, driving to the Henderson State 15 yard line before the drive stalled on a 3rd-and-3 run from #Yusuf Holloway#. The Reddies stiffened, forcing a 33-yard field goal attempt from #Davis Brackett#, which the sophomore nailed to make the score 7-3.

The see-saw battle continued with HSU scoring on another Smith touchdown run, followed by another response from West Georgia quarterback #Emmanuel Taylor# and his offense. 

The drive began inside the UWG 20 at West Georgia's 14 and opened with a nine-yard pass from Taylor to sophomore receiver #Bobby Burum#. The Wolves reached Henderson State territory and set up the first UWG touchdown of the contest. Taylor scrambled after his receivers were covered and found a seam, racing 41 yards for the score, pulling the Wolves to within five points at 14-9.

After another two HSU scores, the Wolves went silent offensively for a few drives before UWG punt returner #Denarius Appling# had his first impact on the game. The UWG defense held the Reddies to a three-and-out and forced a punt. After seeing Appling return three for a score thus far this season, Henderson State tried to keep the ball away from the Wolves' speedster, punting it out of bounds for a 14-yard punt.

That punt gave West Georgia the ball at the HSU 29 and Taylor made the Reddies pay. On the fourth play of the drive, Taylor hit Burum on a crossing route for a six-yard touchdown with one second left on the clock, sending the teams into the locker room with Henderson State leading 28-16.

After the half, both defenses held the opposing offense out of the endzone, but Henderson won this battle in the kicking game, blocking the first Wolves' punt of the second half. The ball reached the UWG endzone and the Wolves fell on it, giving up a safety.

That started a run of 19-straight unanswered points from Henderson State, as the Reddies built a 47-16 second-half lead. The Wolves added a 52-yard touchdown pass from Taylor to Appling and a two-yard touchdown run, but couldn't get any closer as the Reddies closed out the game with the ball.

Taylor accounted for 247 yards of the Wolves' offense, including 180 through the air. He was a part of all four UWG touchdowns, with two on the ground and two in the passing game. Appling had four receptions for 180 yards and his first career offensive touchdown. Burum had five grabs for 34 yards and his first career score as well.

The Wolves return to the gridiron, hitting the road for the second game this season to face Harding in Searcy, Ark. next Saturday.