SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Geno Hess became the first player in program history to rush for over 5,000 yards when Southeast Missouri (4-7, 3-3) ended its season with a 45-21 loss to Bryant (6-5, 4-2) Saturday afternoon at Beirne Stadium.
 
A native of Peoria, Illinois, Hess completed his outstanding SEMO career with 5,119 yards and 63 rushing touchdowns. He ran for 179 yards and two scores on 28 carries to lead the Redhawks today.
 
SEMO moved into BU territory on its first two drives of the game. However, Geno Hess fumbled inside the 20-yard line and the Bulldogs recovered on the opening possession. Then, the BU defense held the Redhawks on fourth down.
 
Late in the first quarter, BU got on the board when Zevi Eckhaus tossed a 67-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Prochaska giving the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 1:22 left to play in the first quarter.
 
After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty saw Keandre Booker get ejected from the game, Eckhaus completed a 48-yard pass to Anthony Frederick giving BU a first-and-Goal. On the next play, Eckhause hooked up with Frederick for a 9-yard touchdown pass extending the Bulldogs lead to 14-0 with 13:32 to play in the second quarter.
 
Eckhaus threw his third touchdown pass of the game when Jalen Powell adjusted to make a 27-yard catch in the end zone widening BU's lead to 21-0 at the 7:29 mark.
 
On fourth down, SEMO was in punt formation when Lawrence Johnson rolled out and completed a 19-yard pass to Bryce Norman downfield for a first down. Two plays later, Patrick Heitert ran up the middle for a 1-yard score cutting the Bulldogs lead to 21-7 with 4:27 left.
 
Another touchdown pass by Eckhaus, this time for eight yards to Gary Cooper gave the Bulldogs a 28-7 advantage at the half.
 
Eckhaus threw touchdowns to four different receivers in the first half. He threw for 268 yards on 14-of-17 passes in the opening two quarters of play.
 
After BU scored quickly to start the second half, the Bulldogs tried an onside kick with a 28-point lead. SEMO got the ball in excellent field position at the BU 37-yard line.
 
On the third play, Hess found the end zone on a 2-yard run. Hess also hit the 5,000-yard mark during that drive which closed BU's lead to 35-14 with 10:01 to play in the third quarter.
 
The Bulldogs led, 45-14, when Hess scored his second touchdown on a 1-yard run for the final score of the contest.
 
Hess ran for 100 or more yards a total of 23 times in his career, also a SEMO record. He went over 1,000 (1,007) yards in each of his last three seasons.
 
For the game, SEMO outrushed BU, 237-57. 
 
Defensively, the Redhawks were led by Norman's six tackles, including one for loss.
 
Eckhaus completed 22-of-28 passes for 394 and six touchdowns to lead BU. Frederick and Prochaska each had over 100 receiving yards with 118 and 110, respectively. Both Frederick and Prochaska both scored a touchdown, as well.