Cape Girardeau, Mo. (KFMO) - Southeast Missouri outdueled the Skyhawks of Tennessee-Martin on Saturday, winning 45-42 in double overtime.
It was a game of trading touchdowns, SEMO taking a 7-0 lead after one quarter, before UT Martin was able to tie things up before the half at 14-14. SEMO scored on its opening drive of the second half before the Skyhawks took their first lead of game at 28-21 after 14 unanswered points.
Eventually trailing 35-28 with just over two minutes to go in the 4th, the Redhawks were able to successfully go 45 yards in a minute and 43 seconds, tying it up at 35 after quarterback Paxton DeLaurent hit Mitchell Sellers from 10 yards out. UT Martin ran out the rest of the clock, taking the two teams to overtime.
Both teams were able to score on their drives in the first overtime, DeLaurent and Sellers connecting again for SEMO, but the Redhawks defense came up big in the second overtime, allowing just three yards and forcing UT Martin to attempt a 36 yard field goal. However, Skyhawks kicker Jaren Van Winkle missed the kick, giving SEMO an opportunity to win the game. SEMO kicker DC Pippin hit a field goal try of his own from 37, giving the Redhawks a 45-42 win.
The Redhawks did the the vast majority of their work through the air. Of the three SEMO players to put the ball on the ground, only one, Payton Brown, managed to record positive yardage, recording two carries for 3 yards. Quarterback Paxton DeLaurent, on the other hand, went 34-63 and 376 yards, throwing for 6 touchdowns and no interceptions.
SEMO is now 2-1 for the season and 1-0 in conference. The Redhawks play at Southern Illinois next week.