MARTIN, Tenn. – #16 UT Martin (8-2, 5-1) scored 27-straight points en route to a 41-14 win over Southeast Missouri (4-6, 3-2) clinching a piece of the 2023 Big South-OVC Association title.
SEMO got an immediate jolt from its defense early. On the third play of the game,
Joedrick Lewis caught a tipped pass and ran 28 yards for a touchdown giving the Redhawks a 7-0 lead just 1:37 into the contest.
After that, UTM scored 27 consecutive points and never turned back.
Kinkead Dent threw the first of his two first-quarter touchdown passes 22 yards to Zoe Roberts and UTM's ensuing PAT was blocked making it a 7-6 ballgame with 8:53 to go.
Dent tossed a 31-yard touchown pass to DeVonte Tanksley completing a 10-play, 90-yard drive. Tanksley's TD gave the Skyhawks their first lead at 13-7 with 4:41 left to play.
Ten seconds into the second quarter, Narkel LeFlore busted loose for a 75-yard touchdown run widening UTM's lead to 20-7 and that score remained the same at the half.
SEMO's offense was held to only 49 total yards on 25 plays for an average of under two yards per play.
Lewis' third interception resulted in the Redhawks third defensive touchdown this season.
Sam Franklin's 61-yard run set up UTM's first score of the second half, a 6-yard rush by Dent. Dent's touchdown gave the Skyhawks a 27-7 advantage with 5:52 left in the third quarter.
The Redhawks ended UTM's streak of 27-straight points when freshman
Greg Menne threw his first career touchdown pass for 75 yards to
Ryan Flournoy. Flournoy ran 34 yards after the catch to cut UTM's lead to 27-14 at the 5:07 mark.
UTM tacked on 14 more points in the fourth quarter to finish its victory.
The Skyhawks outgained the Redhawks, 531-162, in total yards.
Dent threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns on 16-of-29 passes to lead the way. Leflore ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns, as well.
Flournoy caught nine passes for 112 yards and a touchdown to lead SEMO's offense. It was his second 100-yard game of the season.
Patrick Heitert started the game at quarterback and threw for 66 yards on 13-of-24 passes. Menne finished things up under center completing 3-of-5 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. Both Heitert and Menne also threw an interception.
Christian Fuhrman led SEMO with nine tackles and
Bryce Norman followed with eight.
Additionally, the Skyhawks outrushed the Redhawks, 314-5.
SEMO closes out its season at Bryant on Nov. 18.
