NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee State erased a three-point halftime deficit and took the lead early in the third quarter, but Southeast Missouri State answered with 21 consecutive points and defeated the Tigers 33-14 Saturday afternoon at Nissan Stadium.
The Redhawks improved to 6-4 overall and 4-1 in conference play, while the Tigers fell to 2-8 and 0-5.
Daylin Lee completed 20 of 36 passes for 273 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Tennessee State finished with a 277-58 advantage in passing yards.
Jerimiah Treadaway led the Tigers with 66 rushing yards on five carries and added two receptions for 63 yards. He finished with a team-high 129 all-purpose yards.
Anthony Taylor caught seven passes for 73 yards. Brock Montgomery added three receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown, while Aaron Duncan II caught a 3-yard touchdown pass.
Devyn Curtis led the Tennessee State defense with 13 tackles. Epoki Fakaosi added 10 tackles, while Brendan Hale recorded eight.
Jalen LaBranche intercepted a pass inside the Tennessee State 5-yard line. Bryce Gray forced a fumble that Taeshawn Jefferson recovered, giving the Tigers two takeaways.
Brandon Collins and Jaylon Price each recorded a sack. Tennessee State held the Redhawks to 58 passing yards but allowed 362 yards on the ground.
How It Happened
Southeast Missouri State threatened on its opening possession before LaBranche intercepted Chance Wilson at the Tennessee State 3-yard line.
The Tigers responded with an eight-play, 88-yard drive. Lee completed a 41-yard pass to Montgomery and a 47-yard pass to Treadaway, moving Tennessee State to the Redhawks' 7. The drive ended with a missed 25-yard field-goal attempt.
Southeast Missouri State took a 3-0 lead on a 38-yard field goal by Justin Keller with 14:48 remaining in the second quarter.
Tennessee State's defense kept the Redhawks off the scoreboard for the remainder of the half. Gray forced a fumble late in the second quarter, and Jefferson recovered it at the Tennessee State 31.
After forcing a three-and-out to begin the second half, Tennessee State took possession at the SEMO 45. Lee completed all five of his passes on the drive, including a 3-yard touchdown to Duncan. Britton Watts added the extra point to give the Tigers a 7-3 lead with 11:03 remaining in the third quarter.
The Redhawks responded with an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Khyair Spain, putting SEMO back in front 10-7.
DJ Delmore returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown on Tennessee State's next possession, extending the Redhawks' lead to 17-7.
Wilson added a 23-yard touchdown run on the final play of the third quarter to make it 24-7.
Tennessee State answered with a seven-play, 75-yard drive to begin the fourth quarter. Lee completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Montgomery, and Watts' extra point cut the deficit to 24-14 with 12:22 remaining.
SEMO responded with a five-play, 69-yard drive capped by Spain's 11-yard touchdown run. Keller completed the scoring with a 35-yard field goal with 1:29 remaining.
Game Notes
» Southeast Missouri State outgained Tennessee State 420-324.
» Tennessee State held a 277-58 advantage in passing yards.
» The Tigers averaged 6.5 yards per offensive play.
» Lee completed 20 of 36 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns.
» Treadaway recorded 66 rushing yards and 63 receiving yards for 129 yards from scrimmage.
» Taylor caught seven passes for 73 yards.
» Montgomery finished with three receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown.
» Curtis led the Tigers with 13 tackles.
» Fakaosi recorded 10 tackles, while Hale added eight.
» LaBranche intercepted a pass at the Tennessee State 3-yard line.
» Jefferson recovered a fumble forced by Gray.
» Collins and Price each recorded a sack.
» Tennessee State and SEMO each forced two turnovers.
» The Tigers converted 1 of 9 third downs, while the Redhawks finished 5 of 12.
» Wilson completed 6 of 13 passes for 58 yards and rushed for 140 yards and one touchdown.
» Spain led SEMO with 160 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Up Next
Tennessee State will host Eastern Illinois at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Nissan Stadium. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on 102.1 FM The Ville.
