RICHMOND, Ky. – Southeast Missouri (2-2, 0-1) turned the ball over a season-high five times in a 23-14 loss to Eastern Kentucky (2-2, 1-0) Saturday during a rainy Ohio Valley Conference opener at Roy Kidd Stadium.
 
SEMO threw four interceptions and fumbled on a punt return, but its defense put together a strong effort to limit EKU to only six points off those miscues.
 
"We worried about our defense going into today, but they played a lot better. It's stunning they only got two field goals off those turnovers and that's a huge response by our defense," said head coach Tom Matukewicz.
 
SEMO started slow offensively punting four times and throwing three interceptions on nine drives in the first half.
 
The Redhawks had only 45 rushing yards as Marquis Terry was held to just 33 on nine touches. Quarterback Daniel Santacaterina was responsible for the interceptions, throwing one on the third play of the game and the others on back-to-back drives in a 2:02 span.
 
Fortunately for SEMO, EKU came away with points on one of those turnovers when Sam Hayworth kicked a 29-yard field goal to get the Colonels a 3-0 lead with 8:39 left in the first quarter.
 
The Redhawks, with the help of a 15-yard facemask penalty and 34-yard pass from Santacaterina to Jerrick Orr, moved to the EKU 22-yard line. After a Terry rush for four yards, Santacaterina threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Zack Smith on a seam route to cut EKU's lead to 10-7 at the 6:43 mark. That play capped a 6-play, 75-yard drive in less than two minutes for SEMO.
 
EKU regained the lead four seconds into the second quarter on a 2-yard rush by LJ Scott. The Colonels maintained their 10-7 edge at halftime after Nicholas Litang's 50-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.
 
EKU added to its lead when it marched 69 yards in 10 plays after if held SEMO on a fourth-and-6. The Colonels converted a fourth-and-3 with a 14-yard pass from Austin Scott to Dan Paul to grab a 17-7 advantage with just under six minutes to play in the third quarter.
 
On the ensuing kickoff, Terry broke free for a 39-yard return to give SEMO excellent field position at the 50-yard line. Terry limped off the field with a leg injury and did not return. 
 
The Redhawks managed to get to the EKU 29-yard line before Santacaterina's pass fell incomplete on a fourth-and-5.
 
Freshman Zion Custis, in at tailback for the injured Terry, hit paydirt on a 1-yard plunge to polish off a 10-play, 54-yard strike early in the fourth quarter. Custis' first career touchdown narrowed EKU's lead to 17-14 with 12:58 to go.
 
It was still a one-possession game after Hayworth's 41-yard field goal pushed EKU's lead to 20-14 at the 9:11 mark.
 
On the next drive, Custis ran for 26 yards on six carries and SEMO had the ball at the Colonels 25-yard line when Santacaterina threw his fourth pick. Cornelius Floyd stepped in front of Smith on the play.
 
Another 41-yard field goal by Hayworth put the finishing touches on EKU's 23-14 win.
 
Santacaterina completed 15-of-32 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 21 yards on six carries. Terry ended up with 58 yards on 12 carries and Custis followed that up with 37 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts. Terry collected a game-high 137 all-purpose yards, as well.
 
Kobe Bryer and Smith each led the Redhawks with four catches, while Kristian Wilkerson reached 100 career receptions. Wilkerson caught three passes for 23 yards.
 
Defensively, three Redhawks turned in double-digit tackles. Zach Hall paved the way with 14 and Justin Swift and Omardrick Douglas followed with 10 apiece. Swift was also in on a tackle for loss and recovered a fumble.
 
EKU outgained SEMO, 322-293. The Colonels, who lead the OVC in rushing, had 259 yards on the ground. EKU held a +14:04 advantage in time of possession to go along with its +4 turnover margin.
 
"It was one of those games where we had some poor turnovers and it was disappointing," said Matukewicz. "I know Daniel [Santacaterina] will come back stronger than ever. EKU is a great program."
 
Daryl McCleskey ran for a game-high 91 yards on 21 carries to lead the Colonels.
 
SEMO is idle next week before travelling to Tennessee Tech on Oct. 6.
 
"We're going to get a week off and get motivated for another road trip," commented Matukewicz. "I'm not discouraged. We have a good football team and we will bounce back."