Southeast Missouri State scored 15 points in the final 7:40 of the game to overcome a 30-16 fourth quarter deficit and steal a 38-33 victory at Illinois State in the Redbirds home opener at Hancock Stadium on Saturday.
Southeast Missouri State (2-2) outscored Illinois State (0-3) 22-3 in the final quarter to earn its second consecutive victory over the Redbirds. Derek Kutzs 43-yard filed goal, Willie Ponders 80-yard touchdown reception from wide receiver Adrian Kutz and Curtis Coopers game-winning 70-yard punt return for a touchdown highlighted a 15-0 run by SEMO over the final 7:40 of the game.
The Birds handed the Indians an early 2-point lead when Andy King sent a snap sailing over punter Ryan Hoffmans head and out of the back of the end zone for a safety with 6:06 to play in the first quarter.
The Redbirds took advantage of a fumble by the Indians on their ensuing drive and marched 52 yards to paydirt when Kevin Zouzounis hooked up with tight end Mark Schaeve on a 26-yard touchdown pass. The Birds two-point conversion attempt failed.
The Birds capitalized on another SEMO turnover, this time a fumble inside the ISU 20-yard line, with their longest scoring drive of the season, a 12 play, 82-yard drive that was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by senior Willie Watts.
With 6:30 left in the second quarter, the Indians offense dented the scoring column with an 8-play, 74-yard drive that was capped by a 14-yard scoring strike to junior Willie Ponder from freshman quarterback Jeromy McDowell. The two-point conversion was successful.
Illinois State responded with a 25-yard field goal by freshman kicker Stephen Carroll that gave the Birds a 16-9 lead with 3:15 left in the second quarter.
The Indians knotted the game at 16-16 just before the end of the half as Brunes 5-yard scoring run capped a 10-play drive. The extra point attempt failed.
Illinois State needed only 7 plays to take the lead on their first drive of the second half as Watts added his second touchdown run of the game, a nine-yard scamper. The Birds expanded that lead to 30-16 with 4:02 remaining in the third quarter as junior running back Quincy Washington scored on a 15-yard run to the corner of the end zone.
The Indians fought back with a 9 play, 70-yard touchdown drive that ended on the first play of the fourth quarter, a 25-yard reception by Sanders from senior quarterback Bobby Brune.
Another field goal by Carroll, this time from 28 yards out, capped a 9-play 54 yard drive to give ISU a 33-23 lead with 11:29 remaining in the game. ISU would not touch the scoring column again as the Indians tallied the games final 15 points.
Watts paced the Redbird offense with 135 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries. Washington also chipped in with 79 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Zouzounis notched a solid effort at the helm of the Redbird offense, completing 15-of-29 passes for 239 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Schaeve led all ISU receivers with four catches for 80 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown reception.
ISU returns to action against Southwest Texas State, September 29 at Hancock Stadium.
