Southeastern’s next foe, Henderson State University, has put up some impressive numbers so far this season. But to Savage Storm Coach Ray Richards, it’s another chance for the blue and gold to make an impression of their own.

“You look at this as an opportunity to go play one of the better teams around. It’s an opportunity to go shine,” he said. “They are probably the best team we will play all year, so it’s an opportunity to go prove yourself. If that doesn’t get you fired up, I don’t know what does.”

The Reddies are off to a 3-0 start for the first time in 30 years. Their 61 points per game is the best in all of Division II football, indeed second in all of college football behind only Oklahoma State University (62.33 ppg).

Sophomore quarterback Kevin Rodgers, a product of Rockwall, Texas, has put up impressive numbers. But HSU does give up 26 points per game, and the Savage Storm offense (27.5 ppg) can take advantage of these opportunities.

“We’ve got to be balanced, you don’t want to be one-dimensional,” said Richards. “We’ve got to throw it and run it. When you do that you can keep a team off balance. Last week we were horrible on third down, so we’ve got to be able to convert.”

Southeastern will be missing three defensive linemen on Saturday due to injuries, one starter and two who were on the regular rotation. It is unknown how long they will be out of action. This will put pressure on the Savage Storm D-line.

“We can’t give up big plays, and we need to get them to give up some turnovers,” Richards said. “But I don’t think you’ll shut a team like (HSU) down.”

Nobody has, so far. Saturday in Arkadelphia would be a good start.

Savage Storm (1-1, 0-1 GAC) at HSU Reddies (3-0, 2-0 GAC), 6 p.m. Saturday at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium in Arkadelphia, Ark.