Sept. 20, 2008

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By Tyler Koonce, Sports Information Assistant

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Four second-half touchdowns were not enough for the Southeast Missouri State football team Saturday night as the Redhawks fell to Missouri State, 45-28, at Houck Stadium. Southeast pulled to within 10 points with 3:15 remaining in the game but ran out of time to complete the comeback. Houston Lillard completed 30 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns in the defeat.

Missouri State jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead with touchdowns from Chris Geisz, Cody Kirby and Chris Farrar.

Running back Henry Harris got the Redhawks on the board with a 13-yard touchdown run with 8:49 left in the third quarter. Doug Spada converted the extra point to cap the 5-play, 47-yard scoring drive.

Wide receiver Brad Stewart hauled in a 20-yard touchdown pass from Lillard on the first play of the fourth quarter. Spada's PAT cut the lead to 28-14.

MSU's Branon Oliver delivered a punishing blow when he returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.

Lillard connected with receiver Walter Peoples for a 22-yard touchdown with 10:23 left in the game to again cut the margin to 14 points.

Matt Hottelman kicked a 45-yard field goal with 5:04 remaining to push the MSU lead to 38-21.

Again, the Redhawks found the end zone when Lillard found fellow captain Michael Williamson on a 36-yard scoring strike with 3:15 left. Spada added the extra point to pull the Redhawks within 10 at 38-28.

After forcing the Bears to punt, Southeast was driving when Cedric Alvis of MSU intercepted a pass and returned it 57 yards for the touchdown that sealed the game.

Lillard finished 30-for-44 passing for 331 yards and three touchdowns. Stewart caught a career-high eight passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. Williamson finished with six catches for a career-high 83 yards and a score. Peoples made six receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. Harris added five receptions for 34 yards while tight end Bradley Brown caught four passes for 34 yards.

Defensively, Nick Stauffer tied for the game-high with 13 tackles, including one sack for a loss of six yards. Marvin Anderson registered a career-best nine stops and Nick Ketelsleger contributed seven tackles. Salim Powell forced a fumble that was recovered by Josh Woods. Ben Gugler notched one sack for a loss of nine yards.

The Redhawks now begin a strech of three straight road games beginning with Indiana State next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. central time in Terre Haute, Ind. The next home game at Houck Stadium will be October 25th at 1 p.m. during Homecoming Weekend.