Box Score Final Statistics | PDF Version

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Powered by four rushing touchdowns from junior Ron Coleman, the Southeast Missouri football team escaped with a 36-34 victory over Austin Peay Saturday in Clarksville, Tenn.
 
Coleman wasn't alone, as DeMichael Jackson ran for his third-straight 100-yard rushing performance with a career-high 140 yards.
 
The seesaw affair started with Austin Peay (0-11, 0-7 OVC) taking the opening kick and using a six-play, 75-yard drive to take the early lead. Rashaa Coleman broke free up the middle to score a 13-yard touchdown.
 
Answering on their first drive of the game, the Redhawks used 11 plays to travel 44 yards including a 4^th and inches conversion to keep the drive alive.
 
Ron Coleman took the handoff from the 5-yard line and scampered into the end zone. Alex Knight's extra point knotted the game at 7-7.
 
Following a 31-yard field goal from the foot of Chase Dunlap to give APSU a 10-7 lead, Southeast (3-8, 2-5 OVC) put together a 75-yard drive to take the lead early in the second quarter.
 
Quarterback Scott Lathrop took the snap on first-and-10 from the Governors 40-yard line. On the read option, Lathrop froze the defense with a fake pitch and turned up field for the 40-yard touchdown. Knight's kick gave Southeast the 14-10 lead.
 
On the first play of the following Austin Peay drive, Cantrell Andrews intercepted Timar Mitchell and returned it to the APSU 22 yard line. That set up Coleman for his second touchdown of the game as he plunged in from the 1-yard line.
 
Knight's point after gave Southeast a 21-10 lead, which would hold for the score at intermission.
 
"We knew this was going to be a very difficult game," Southeast head coach Tony Samuel said. "I was hoping the team wouldn't relax at halftime. We haven't been in this situation at halftime and I know what a lead can do to you mentally."
 
After holding the Redhawks to a three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half, Austin Peay capped a seven play, 71-yard drive on a Rashaa Coleman touchdown from six yards out.
 
On the following Southeast possession, the Austin Peay defense held the Redhawks to a 27-yard Ryan McCrum field goal keeping a one-possession game intact.
 
The Governors marched 68 yards on five plays to knot the game at 24-24 as Rashaa Colmean scored his third touchdown in the game. This time it was a 20-yard run, followed by a Dunlap point after.
 
Keeping with the back-and-forth affair, Southeast traveled 85 yards on nine plays as Coleman countered with his third rushing touchdown of the game to give the Redhawks the 30-24 lead. Knight's point after attempt failed.
 
On the ensuing kickoff EnRiques Perry turned his wheels on for APSU, returning the ball for a 99-yard touchdown. Dunlap's point after gave the Governors a 31-30 lead with 14:22 remaining in the game.
 
"The kids kept fighting," Samuel said. "I was concerned with how we would respond after the return. That is what you wait for these young teams to do is wake up."
 
With the Governor defense on short rest, Southeast traveled 62 yards setting up Ron Coleman for his fourth touchdown of the game.
 
Southeast forced a field goal on the next Austin Peay possession to keep the lead intact at 36-34.
 
After Austin Peay forced a three-and-out for the Redhawks offense, the Governors took over on their own 31-yard line, only needing a field goal to win with 3:23 remaining in the game.
 
Moving downfield, Austin Peay faced a fourth-and-6 from their own 45. Darryl Clack caught Spivey's pass a few yards short but pulled herculean effort stretching for the first down by inches.
 
Just three plays later, APSU was in the same situation but only needed five yards and Coleman caught the pass with just enough room for the first down.
 
As the clock continued to tick away, the Redhawks defense was taking away any deep threats only allowing for short passes up the middle. Unable to stop the clock, Austin Peay ran out of time, sealing the 36-34 Southeast victory.
 
Coleman's four touchdowns are the first time a Redhawks player has scored three or more touchdowns since Nov. 19, 2011, when Matt Scheible accomplished the feat against Murray State.
 
Jackson's third-straight 100-yard game was also his fourth in five contests.
 
Lathrop threw for 79 yards on 6-of-11 passing while surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the season. He also ran for 88 yards. 
 
"Ron did a good job out there getting the ball in," Samuel said. "You also have to top your hat to DeMichael and who had the best game of his career. I though Lathrop came in and played well.
 
"A lot of good things happened in order for us to win the game."
 
D.J. Foster was the main target of Lathrop, catching four passes for 56 yards.
 
On defense, Eriq Moore totaled 10 tackles with four solo and six assists. Jon Slania had eight tackles with five solo.

"Eriq is a young, smart kid," Samuel said. "He has been learning and learning. It was good to get him out there and give him that opportunity. I am very happy for him."
 
The Redhawks close out their season at Jacksonville State Saturday at 3 p.m.