Box Score
Cape Girardeau, Mo. (November 2, 2002) - With just 12 seconds left in regulation of a tied game between Southeast Missouri (6-4, 3-2 OVC), and Tennessee Tech (2-7, 0-4 OVC), senior wide receiver Willie Ponder, playing on special teams, returned a blocked punt from Dimitri Patterson deep in Tech territory for a 16-yard touchdown. The play secured the 36-30 win for the Indians.
Southeast started the scoring off on the first drive of the game. After two converted fourth-down tries, the Indians' offense stalled at the ten yard line, forcing sophomore kicker Derek Kutz to come in for the 20-yard try. Kutz nailed it and put the Tribe on top 3-0.
Tech answered, however, as with 1:56 left in the first quarter, quarterback Robert Craft connected with Stevland Sills on a three-yard pass to take a 7-3 lead.
Southeast came right back and on Tech's next possession, defensive end Ryan Roth took a fumble recovery 17 yards for the score to put the Tribe on top. Kutz missed his first extra point try of the season so the Indians were only ahead 9-7.
Both teams scored once more in the half as Tech got a three yard run from tailback Jason Ballard. The kick failed and after another Kutz field goal, the score stood 13-12 at the half.
Ballard scored to start the second half on a quick two-yard run. Josh Foster converted the extra point try to make the score 20-12. the play capped off a 17 play, 75 yard drive that took 6:47 off the clock.
Southeast bounced right back as sophomore receiver Chris NesSmith took a three yard pass from junior quarterback Jack Tomco for the score. Tomco converted on the two-point try to receiver T.J. Milcic in the endzone to tie the game at 20.
Both teams traded field goals tying the score at 23, before senior running back Keiki Misipeka took the ball and lumbered three yards for a score, capping off an 11 play, 92 yard drive to take a quick 30-23 lead.
With a little over two minutes left and after a bad 15-yard punt from Kutz, Craft drove the Golden Eagles 36 yards to score the touchdown. Foster put through the extra-point to tie the game at 30.
With overtime looming and only 12 seconds left in the game, Tech lined up deep in their own territory. Ponder and Patterson rushed from both ends and Patterson blocked the punt, with Ponder recovering and taking the ball to pay dirt and a touchdown. The kick from Kutz failed, but the Tribe was on top with just over eight seconds left.
On the ensuing kickoff, the kicker Brian Emmendorfer kicked the ball to the Tennessee Tech 30 yard line, and fullback, Ronny Sidler called for the fair catch, but bobbled the ball resulting in Southeast recovering. However, the play was ruled dead before even happening, as an inadvertent whistle blew just as the ball hit Sidler. The play was ruled dead and kicked over.
Tech recovered this time and on their last play passed for the hail mary, but Ponder was there again as he intercepted the pass and took it deep in to Tech territory.
It was safe to say that Ponder was the star of the game, but he only had three receptions for 52 yards. He also had thee kickoff returns for 70 yards, an interception return for 51 yards and a punt block return for 16 yards and a touchdown.
Tomco threw for 246 yard completing 20-35 passes with one interception. Running back Corey Kinsey had 23 rushes for 81 yards. Misipeka had a touchdown carry and also caught four passes for 38 yards. Kicker Derek Kutz was perfect as he hit two from 20 yards and one field goal from 25.
Southeast will next go on the road to take on Eastern Kentucky next weekend in Richmond. The game will be Roy Kidd's last home game at the helm of EKU. Kick off is slated for 5 p.m.
