CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. –Southeast Missouri (2-4, 2-1) had a season-high six takeaways and Geno Hess ran for 116 yards and three touchdowns in a commanding 30-14 win over Austin Peay (2-4, 0-1) Saturday.
 
SEMO never trailed en route to claiming its first road win of the season. 
 
The Redhawks, who recorded a takeaway in 20-consecutive games dating back to 2019, forced multiple turnovers for the fifth time in six contests this year.
 
SEMO's defense seized momentum early when it came up with two of those in a quick 1:42 during the first quarter.
 
APSU return man Baniko Hartley muffed a punt and Jacob Morrissey recovered at the Governors' 12-yard line. Three plays later, Kenny Doak kicked a 27-yard field goal to give the Redhawks a 3-0 advantage.
 
On the game's ensuing possession, freshman Bryce Norman forced his team-high third fumble of the season when he hit running back Ahmaad Tanner. Austin Carter recovered the ball at the APSU 24.
 
After completing a 10-yard pass on a third-and-6, CJ Ogbonna hooked up with Johnny King for an 8-yard strike. Doak's extra point was blocked and the Redhawks led, 9-0, with 7:31 to go in the opening period.
 
The Governors responded with a 12-play, 85-yard drive capped by a 5-yard run by Tanner. Draylen Ellis converted the 2-point conversion with a pass to Harley pulling APSU within a point at 9-8.
 
SEMO closed out the first half with a nice 16-play, 78-yard march that culminated with a 2-yard touchdown run by Hess. Hess' touchdown came on fourth down and extended the Redhawks lead to 16-8 at the half.
 
On the second play of APSU's opening drive of the second half, Dony'e Taylor intercepted Ellis and returned his first career pick 39 yards to the Governors' 19. Hess found the end zone for the second time on a 5-yard run to stretch SEMO's lead to 23-8 at the 11:42 mark of the third quarter. 
 
APSU answered quickly less than a minute later when Tanner ripped off a 53-yard run to trim SEMO's lead to 23-14 with 10:43 remaining.
 
The Redhawks used five-straight third-down conversions to fuel its next scoring drive that consumed 8:44. Hess scored his third rushing touchdown on a 2-yard plunge to polish off the 17-play, 75-yard drive as SEMO pulled ahead, 30-14, with just under two minutes in the third quarter.
 
Hess carried the ball 28 times and averaged 4.1 yards per touch. He now has nine rushing touchdowns, three shy of his Football Championship Subdivision leading 12 last season. The 100-yard performance marked the sixth of Hess' career and third in 2021.
 
In his return, Zack Smith paved the way with five receptions for 53 yards. Smith missed the last four games with a foot injury.
 
Ty Leonard led SEMO's swarming defense with nine tackles and one interception. Cape Girardeau product Taylor added an interception and one fumble recovery, while Brandon Mincey had six tackles and a pick. William McCall, in his first career start turned in eight tackles and Norman finished with six.
 
The Redhawks started five of their drives inside APSU territory thanks to the outstanding play from their defense.
 
SEMO returns home to host Murray State on Oct. 16.