Indians Drop Close Contest To Murray State, 38-31 :: Willie Ponder leads Southeast with three receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Willie Ponder leads Southeast with three receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Oct. 26, 2002

MURRAY, Ky. (AP) - Billy Blanchard rushed for 183 yards and four touchdowns and Jason Myers intercepted with 25 seconds remaining to lead Murray State to a 38-31 victory over Southeast Missouri on Saturday.

The Racers (2-4), who fell to OVC power Eastern Kentucky 31-7 last week, scored 24 points in the second half.

It was a back-and-forth battle in the second half with the score knotted three times and three lead changes.

Blanchard ran a 50-yard touchdown after an Indian fumble early in the fourth quarter to take a 31-24 lead.

But Southeast Missouri tied the score at 31 when quarterback Jack Tomco hit Willie Ponder on a 42-yard touchdown pass.

Murray State drained more than 4 minutes off the clock late in the contest and Blanchard scored on a 33-yard run on fourth down and one to seal the win for the Racers.

Blanchard scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter on runs of 41, 50 and 33 yards.

Southeast Missouri (5-4) outgained Murray State 424-405 in total yardage.

Keike Misipeka rushed for 100 yards and two scores, while Corey Kinsey rushed for 103.

Ponder led the Indians with three receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown.