By Jeff Honza
Associate Director of Athletics for Strategic Communications
 
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – At any moment life can change and that is what Southeast Missouri running back Brandon Epton, Jr. learned firsthand on September 7, 2024.
 
That night, SEMO beat UT Martin, 45-42, in a double overtime slugfest that featured 87 combined points, 12 touchdowns, five lead changes, five ties, three 100-yard receivers, one 100-yard rusher, two 250-yard passers and one single game school record.
 
Late after his team's monumental Ohio Valley Conference-Big South opening victory, Epton was involved in a serious car accident that left him with a broken back and wrist.
 
The crash was so severe that he was initially told he may never play football again.
 
As soon as he heard that, Epton convinced himself he wasn't going to let that happen.
 
"I knew I had a long road to recovery ahead. The first month was extremely tough. I was just laying around, trying to heal. After that, I started making my way back to the team, watching practices and slowly getting acclimated again," recalled Epton.
 
Epton eventually began jogging and as the weeks went by, he got stronger and felt there was a chance he could play again.
 
"Our coaches, athletic trainers and strength staff were instrumental in getting me ready," Epton said. "They didn't want to risk anything along the way but were confident I could make it back before the season was over."
 
Eight long weeks after the accident, Epton made an amazing return to the field for SEMO's final regular-season home game vs. Western Illinois (Nov. 16).
 
Epton ran for a season-high 126 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries and caught three passes for 26 yards and another score against the Leathernecks. 
 
He scored his first career SEMO touchdown on a 21-yard pass with 7:44 left in the first quarter of that contest, a 54-45 win.
 
"I felt relieved that all the hard work paid off. It was such a great feeling to get back on the field and contribute to the team's success," said Epton.
 
With everything from SEMO's 2024 OVC-Big South championship season behind him, Epton has made a full recovery and looks forward to what's ahead in 2025 while playing alongside Payton Brown.
 
"Payton is my running back partner, and we complement each other well in the backfield. We'll likely get 20 carries per game so we're aiming for 700 yards each. I expect us both to have big seasons," said Epton.
 
A native of Dallas, Texas, Epton started his career at Football Bowl Subdivision SMU. 
 
He carried the ball 32 times for 94 yards and three touchdowns in eight games as a true freshman in 2021. Epton redshirted the following year after seeing action in four contests. 
 
Epton went to Hutchinson Community College next and rushed for 535 yards and five touchdowns on 114 touches in 2023 before enrolling at SEMO for the 2024-25 school year.
 
"Going from high school to Division I FBS was a big jump," he said. "Just seeing how guys like Elijah Chatman (New York Giants) and Rashee Rice (Kansas City Chiefs) practiced every day was a learning experience. The coaches at SMU were great teachers too. That experience made me a lot more focused and driven to succeed."
 
Epton wears #3 on his SEMO jersey to remind him of his days at Hutchinson CC since that was the same number he wore there.
 
Now, Epton is prepared to make the most of his final season and end his career on a high note.
 
"I feel like we have a great team, and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish in 2025. We have a tight family culture and that's what drives us on the field. We have a tough schedule that gives us the chance to prove ourselves. I'm thankful for the opportunity to continue playing the sport I love."