Aug. 28, 2008

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By Tyler Koonce, Sports Information Assistant

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State came back to defeat Southwest Baptist in overtime, 35-28, Thursday night at Houck Stadium. The Redhawks scored 23 unanswered points over the final 10 minutes, 43 seconds. Houston Lillard hit Miles Edwards on a 23-yard game-winning touchdown pass on the first drive of overtime while the defense held to finish the game.

Southwest Baptist (0-1) jumped out to an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Steven Gachette to John Austin and a 43-yard scoring run by DeAndre Brown.

Doug Spada got Southeast (1-0) on the board with a 33-yard field goal with 6:13 left in the first half. The Redhawks put together a 10-play, 45-yard drive leading up to Spada's kick. That score would hold up until halftime. Eddie Calvin set a school record with three interceptions in the first half to lead the defense.

SBU came out firing again after the halftime break. The Bearcats caught a break when Josh Vaughn recovered a fumble by Justin Finnell in the end zone to increase the lead. Justin Finch added the extra point to make the score 21-3 with 11:32 left in the third quarter.

Southeast put together its first scoring drive behind the legs of true freshman Jacob McKinley. He rushed for 40 yards on the six play, 69-yard drive that last three minutes and 21 seconds.

On the ensuing kickoff, Joshua Jackson tackled Brown at the 5-yard line. On the next play, SBU was called for holding in the end zone which is ruled a safety, making the score 21-12.

After a defensive stop, the Bearcats put together a 12-play, 93-yard drive that was capped off by a 1-yard scoring plunge by Clint Carroz.

With 10:43 left in the game, Houston Lillard found fellow senior captain Michael Williamson on a 14-yard touchdown pass to begin the Redhawks comeback. After an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt, the lead stood at 28-18.

Following a missed field goal attempt, Lillard found Edwards for a game-changing 80-yard touchdown pass where the sophomore receiver shook a tackle and raced down the sideline to paydirt. Spada added the extra point, cutting the margin to three at 28-25 with 5:52 left in regulation.

The Southeast defense came up with a big play on the next possession as freshman linebacker Philip Klaproth forced a fumble by Brown that was recovered by senior linebacker Nick Stauffer.

Lillard completed three consecutive passes before the drive stalled at the SBU 30-yard line. Spada came on for a 47-yard field goal attempt that could tie the game with only 1:41 on the clock. The junior kicker drilled the ball through the uprights to even the score, igniting the sideline and 5,475 fans in attendance.

The game would head to overtime after senior Kendall Magana intercepted a pass on the ensuing drive.

Southeast won the coin toss in overtime and head coach Tony Samuel elected to go on offense first. The move would pay off as Lillard connected with Edwards for a 23-yard touchdown on the second play of the extra session.

When the defense came on the field, the Redhawks got a solid tackle from junior Marvin Anderson on first down. Gachette's next two passes would fall incomplete, setting up fourth-and-seven with the game on the line. Senior defensive end Ben Gugler sacked Gachette on the play to end the game as his teammates rushed onto the field in celebration.

Lillard finished 27-39 passing for a career-high 387 yards and three touchdowns. He passed for 265 yards after halftime. Edwards also set career highs with 10 receptions for 204 yards to go along with his two scores. Williamson finished with five catches for 65 yards and his first career touchdown.

Sophomore Mike Jones led the rushing attack with 14 carries for 51 yards. McKinley finished with 49 yards on 10 carries.

For SBU, Gachette went 33-51 passing for 298 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Jonathan Alvarado led the receivers with eight receptions for 102 yards. Reuben Hartzler added seven catches for 62 yards.

Defensively, Stauffer paced the squad with a career-high 16 tackles as well as the crucial fumble recovery. Calvin added seven stops and broke up a pass in addition to his three interceptions returned 71 yards. Matt Stahlberg and Bryan Blanfort each finished with six tackles. Gugler registered both Southeast sacks on the night.

Jeremy Williams and Tyrin Holt paced the SBU defense with 10 tackles a piece. The Bearcats sacked Lillard seven times on the night. Willie Johnson added six stops and two fumble recoveries.

Spada averaged 47.6 yards per punt, with a long of 54 yards and two placed inside the SBU 20-yard line. He also added three touchbacks on kickoffs.

Southeast returns to the field on September 6 as the Redhawks travel to the University of Missouri to take on the I-A Tigers that are ranked in the top 10 in numerous national polls. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Faurot Field. The next home game at Houck Stadium is slated for Thursday, September 11 to open Ohio Valley Conference play against Tennessee Tech in a nationally-televised game on ESPNU.