Hess Notches Career-High as Redhawks Use Dominating Rushing Attack to Bury Tennessee State, 47-14

Saturday, September 25

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

2:00 PM

Southeast Missouri State University

1-3 , 1-0

Tennessee State

1-3 , 0-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Tennessee State	0	0	6	8	14
Southeast Missouri	3	13	17	14	47

9/25/2021 6:27:00 PM | Football

Box Score Final Statistics Photos Highlights

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Geno Hess ran for a career-high 205 yards and three touchdowns to lead a vicious rushing attack as Southeast Missouri (1-3, 1-0) picked up its first win of the season, a 47-14 victory over Tennessee State (1-3, 0-1) Saturday.

SEMO handed NFL legend Eddie George the first Ohio Valley Conference loss of his head coaching career.

The Redhawks dominated the ground game, outrushing the Tigers, 380-14.

A native of Peoria, Illinois, Hess became the first Redhawk to rush over 200 yards in a game since Marquis Terry finished with 202 vs. Dayton in 2018.

"I thought we played well in all three phases of the game today," said SEMO Head Coach Tom Matukewicz. "Offensively and defensively we put together a great performance and received a lot of points from our kicking game."

Kenny Doak accounted for a total of 17 points for the Redhawks as he didn't miss a kick the entire game. Doak was a perfect 4-of-4 in field goals and 5-of-5 in extra points. His 17 points are a new career-high.

SEMO held TSU under 100 total yards in the first half and used three field goals by Doak to help build a 16-0 halftime lead.

The Tigers punted on each of their five drives in the game's opening 30 minutes and were off the field in three plays on three occasions.

Doak scored the first points of the contest when he split the uprights with a 33-yard field goal to put the Redhawks ahead, 3-0, with 9:33 left to play in the first quarter. Doak's first kick was set up with the help of a 25-yard run by Hess and 14-yard completion from CJ Ogbonna to Johnny King.

SEMO tacked on 13 more points in the second quarter.

Hess polished off an 8-play, 53-yard march just 41 seconds in to the period.

Doak then connected from 40 and 39 yards out to complete SEMO's first-half scoring.

SEMO picked up 266 yards of total offense and outrushed TSU, 122-5, in the first half alone.

The Redhawks continued to have their way with the Tigers in the second half.

Hess scored two more rushing touchdowns on runs of 63 and eight yards, respectively. His second of those scores extended SEMO's lead to 33-6 with a minute remaining in the third quarter.

Shamenski Rucker and Will Weidemann each found the end zone in the final period. Rucker scored on a 3-yard run and Weidemann caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Ogbonna. The touchdown was the first of Weidemann's career.

SEMO racked up a season-high 607 total yards, its first game with over 600 yards of total offense in an OVC game since it posted 692 at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 6, 2018. The Redhawks 47 points were their most in a home league opener since they put up 51 vs. then-OVC member Samford on the exact same date 17 years ago (Sept. 25, 2004).

Hess averaged 8.2 yards per touch on 25 attempts.

Meanwhile, Ogbonna threw for 227 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-23 passes. He ran for 48 yards, as well. Ogbonna threw completions to eight different receivers. Rashaan Palmer paved the way with three catches for 85 yards.

Jackson native Bryce Norman and Cape Girardeau local Dony'e Taylor led the Redhawks with six tackles apiece. Norman also forced a fumble and added one tackle for loss. It was the second time in four games where Norman finished as SEMO's top tackler.

Additionally, SEMO recorded two sacks and Ty Leonard had an interception.

The Redhawks hit the road for their next two games first visiting Tennessee Tech on Oct. 2.