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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Paul McRoberts caught a 2-yard game-winning touchdown pass with four seconds left and Southeast Missouri (2-2) upset No. 3 Southeastern Louisiana (2-2), 24-23, Saturday night in a barn-burner at Missouri National Guard Field/Houck Stadium.
 
McRoberts secured a dart thrown by quarterback Kyle Snyder on a slant route to polish off Southeast's first win over a ranked opponent at home since 2008. Additionally, the Redhawks upended their highest ranked foe in Cape Girardeau since 2000 (No. 12 Illinois State).
 
Snyder made a huge play on a 3^rd-and-10 when he busted up the middle for 15 yards on a gutsy quarterback draw. He picked up the first down at the 2-yardline before throwing the decisive touchdown pass.
 
"I am so filled with joy," said Southeast head coach Tom Matukewicz. "The plan on Kyle's big run was to fan everybody up front and create a seam. Kyle made a big play, took a hard hit and came back on the next play to throw the game-winning touchdown pass."
 
Snyder made another key play at a time when it appeared as though Southeast's final drive was stalling. He threw a 16-yard completion to Spencer Davis on a 3^rd-and-8.
 
The dramatic fourth quarter began with Bryan Bennett throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Smiley. Smiley's TD capped a 7-play, 90-yard drive to bring the Lions to within a point (17-16) with 5:18 left to play.
 
SLU then went for two, but Wisler Ymonice blew things up when he tackled D'Shaie Landor short of the goal line.
 
On the first play of Southeast's ensuing possession, Lennies McFerren fumbled and Josh Dakin recovered at the Southeast 38-yardline.
 
Six plays later, Bennett scored on a 22-yard run to give SLU a 23-17 lead with 2:53 on the clock.
 
After McRoberts scored his second touchdown of the night, Ryan McCrum had to win the game twice. His first extra point split the uprights, but the Redhawks were called for a holding penalty. McCrum then made his second attempt to send Southeast's sideline into a frenzy.
 
Both teams battled to a 10-10 deadlock at the half.
 
Ryan Adams got SLU on the board first with a 25-yard field goal at the 7:15 mark of the first quarter.
 
McFerren scored his fourth career rushing touchdown on a 1-yard run with 6:04 left in the second quarter.
 
Jeremy Myers hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass from holder Cole Leblanc on a fake field goal to give the Lions a 10-7 edge with just under three minutes (2:58) remaining.
 
McCrum kicked a career-long 54-yard field goal to tie the game as time expired in the first half. The field goal was the second-longest in school history.
 
Snyder completed 16-of-31 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 95 yards on 17 carries.
 
McRoberts caught a game-high seven passes for 89 yards and two TDs. He is now third all-time with 17 career touchdown receptions at Southeast.
 
Meanwhile, Davis broke the Redhawks all-time career record in all-purpose yardage. He finished with 145 yards and now has 4,248 in his career, surpassing Kelvin Anderson (4,173 from 1992-94) for the new mark.
 
Defensively, Roper Garrett paved the way with 12 tackles, while true freshman Hunter Bledsoe followed with eight tackles and a fumble recovery.
 
Chad Meredith also added six tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss.
 
Bennett threw for 200 yards and a touchdown on 15-of-29 passes to lead the Lions. He was also sacked twice.
 
SLU outgained Southeast, 436-365, in total yards. Both teams were nearly even in rushing as the Lions had 225 yards to the Redhawks 224.
 
Southeast, which beat its highest-ranked opponent in school history, snapped an eight-game losing streak against ranked Football Championship Subdivision teams.
 
"What a victory," said Matukewicz. "We talk about doing things the hard way. Our guys are doing the right things and buying into what we are teaching. It's all about a process and tonight was a big brick!"
 
The Redhawks open Ohio Valley Conference play at UT Martin on Sept. 27.