Final Statistics | Final Statistics in PDF Format | Postgame Notes

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Redshirt-freshman quarterback Scott Lathrop threw for 120 yards and one touchdown, and ran for 31 yards and one TD, as Southeast Missouri (0-1) gave Central Michigan (1-0) all it could handle in a 38-27 loss Thursday night at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Lathrop, in his first career start at quarterback, was the first player other than Matt Scheible to start under center for Southeast since 2008. A native of Warrenton, Mo., Lathrop was efficient, completing 10-of-17 passes. He also ran the ball 15 times.

Scott is competitive and he put on a good show,” said Southeast head coach Tony Samuel. “He really handled himself well and played with a lot of poise.”

David Harman put CMU on the board first with a 24-yard field goal on the Chippewas second drive of the game, but Southeast answered with a big play on its next possession.

Spencer Davis took a Lathrop pitch off the right side and scampered 55 yards down the far sideline to give the Redhawks a 7-3 advantage with 7:46 left to play in the first quarter.

The rushing touchdown, which marked the second of Davis' career, gave Southeast its first lead against a Football Bowl Subdivision since the 2002 campaign. That year, the Redhawks led Eastern Michigan, 32-28, with 8:16 left in the fourth quarter in Ypsilanti.

George Neuhaus, who made his first career start at linebacker, picked off a Ryan Radcliff pass at the CMU 31-yardline to set up Southeast's next score.

After getting to the Chippewa 20-yardline, Drew Geldbach kicked a 37-yard field goal to extend the Redhawks lead to 10-3 with 4:26 remaining.

Tipton broke free and dashed 32 yards down the near sideline to tie the game at 10-10 at the 2:26 mark of the first quarter.

Southeast made another huge play on defense during CMU's ensuing drive when Cantrell Andrews stripped the ball from Tipton. Neuhaus recovered at the Redhawks 38-yardline.

D.J. Foster made two big catches, one of which went for 43 yards, to help move Southeast within striking distance again.

Lathrop then capped a 6-play, 62-yard march with a 4-yard touchdown run, giving the Redhawks a 17-10 lead. The touchdown was the first of Lathrop's career.

A short 20-yard punt by Richie Hogan gave Southeast excellent field position in CMU territory.

Six plays later, Lathrop threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Foster, expanding the Redhawks lead to 24-10 lead with 7:13 left in the second quarter.

CMU quickly closed the gap with back-to-back rushing touchdowns to bring the game to a 24-24 deadlock at the half.

Tipton scored on a 48-yard run after Radcliff completed an 18-yard pass to Cody Wilson on a 3^rd-and-6. After that, Anthony Garland hit paydirt on a 2-yard run.

Southeast consumed nearly nine minutes in its opening drive of the second half.

The Redhawks went 52 yards in 15 plays before pulling ahead, 27-24, on a 40-yard field goal by Geldbach with 6:02 left in the third quarter.

CMU kept another drive alive with a Courtney Williams 7-yard run on third down before Radcliff delivered a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett Fleming, regaining a 31-27 edge for the Chippewas.

The Chippewas added one final score when Tipton scored from a yard out to cap a 91-yard drive.

Foster finished with a game-high six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown, while Levi Terrell led
Southeast's rushing attack with 78 yards on 15 attempts. Terrell averaged 5.2 yards per carry.

Tipton ran for 180 yards and three touchdowns to lead CMU. He picked up 10.6 yards per carry, as the Chippewas outgained the Redhawks, 324-188, on the ground.

Garland followed with 102 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries.

Defensively, Southeast had three takeaways.

Reggie Jennings and Tylor Brock paved the way with 10 tackles apiece, while Blake Peiffer added eight.
Special teams wise, Joe Vucic averaged 47.6 yards per punt and had a 68-yarder, the second-longest of his career.

Eight different Redhawks, including Lathrop, Andrews, Neuhaus, Jennings, Branden Spann, Corey Porter, Daniel Siehndel and Josyah O'Keefe-Lopez made their first career start tonight.

“I thought we played well,” said Samuel. “The effort was great, but our timing and some other things were off. I'm looking forward to getting back to practice.”

Southeast returns to Cape Girardeau to host NCAA Division II foe Mars Hill College in its home-opener
on Sept. 8. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., CT, at Houck Stadium.