TERRE HAUTE, Ind. ? The Indiana State Sycamores suffered a disappointing loss Saturday at Memorial Stadium, as the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks rallied in the final minute of the game to edge out Indiana State, 24-21, in front of 5,283 raucous fans.
The Sycamores scored on their first possession of the game, going 64 yards in six plays. Ryan Patrick got the drive going with a 33 yard run on a reverse to the SEMO 31-yard line with a face mask penalty on the Redhawks moving the ball down to the 16. Four plays later, Darrius Gates crashed in from the one-yard line to put the Sycamores up 6-0. Braulio Martinez booted the point after attempt as ISU went up 7-0 with 9:21 left in the first quarter.
The Indiana State defense kept SEMO bottled up for most of the first half. The Redhawks were backed up to their own three-yard line when sophomore punter Gabe Mullane shanked his boot with the Sycamores taking over at the SEMO 30 on the final play of the first quarter.
It took Indiana State just four plays to pad their lead, with Antoine Brown going over from two yards out for the score. Martinez booted the extra point with the Sycamores going up 14-0 with 13:09 left in the first half.
The Redhawks scored on their next possession, aided by a 74-yard kickoff return by SEMO's Jacob McKinley, that gave the Redhawks a first down on the Sycamore 10 yard line. Indiana State made a gallant defensive stand but on fourth and goal, SEMO quarterback Houston Lillard leaped over from a yard out to score. Doug Spada booted the point after as the Redhawks cut the Sycamore lead to 14-7 with 10:13 left in the first half.
SEMO tacked on two more scores in the third quarter to take their first lead of the contest. Spada booted a 35-yard field goal with 9:55 left in the third and Lillard connected with Miles Edwards on a 12-yard scoring strike with just 58 seconds left in the quarter. Spada's boot gave the Redhawks a 17-14 lead at the break at halftime.
The Sycamores did not fold and came right back on their next series. ISU quarterback guided Indiana State on an eight-play, 81 yard drive. Dowdell kept the drive alive with a two-yard run on fourth down at the SEMO 36. On the next play, Dowdell connected with Patrick, who made a tremendous catch in the corner of the endzone for the score. Martinez booted the point after as ISU regained the lead 21-17 with 10:46 left in the game.
Indiana State came up with a big defensive series as SEMO marched down the field with a first and 10 at the Sycamore 15. The Redhawks got as close as the Sycamore six but on fourth and one, ISU's Dan Millington tackled SEMO's Henry Harris for a one yard loss, giving the ball back to Indiana State.
The Sycamores picked up one first down on the next series, but then had to punt the ball back to the Redhawks. SEMO took over at its own 34 and did move into Sycamore territory with 1:21 left. Two big pass plays, one a 30-yard catch from Lillard to Walter Peoples, and the other a 13-yard strike from Lillard to Edwards, got the Redhawks to the Sycamore one. Harris got the ball and busted through the Sycamore defense for the touchdown with 42 seconds left. Spada booted the point after for a 24-21 SEMO lead.
Indiana State had a couple of good chances on their final possession but, was unable to move down the field and the Redhawks held on for the win.
Dowdell ran for 96 yards and was 9-of-21 in passing for 52 yards and a touchdown. Gates added 74 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Henry Harris ran for 100 yards and scored one touchdown for the Redhawks. Lillard was 10-of-19 in passing for 155 yards and one touchdown.
Indiana State returns to action next Saturday, when it open Missouri Valley Football Conference play against Illinois State. Kick off is set for noon at Memorial Stadium.
