The Redhawks used a huge fourth quarter to come from behind and defeat Austin Peay 31-27 on Oct. 13 at Houck Field.
Junior running back Marquis Terry scored the game-winning touchdown with 15 seconds remaining to complete the Redhawks comeback on homecoming.
The game was an intense and chippy battle from start to finish. The Governors struck first with a touchdown early in the first quarter, however the extra point attempt was blocked by the Redhawks. A couple drives later, the Redhawks answered with a field goal. The first quarter ended with a score of 6-3, Governors on top.
The Redhawks struggled to get into an offensive rhythm in the second quarter and also gave up another touchdown, a 23-yard pass caught by junior DeAngelo Wilson. Going into halftime the score was 13-3 in favor of the Governors.
Turnovers and missed field goals contributed to the Redhawks halftime deficit, as junior quarterback Daniel Santacaterina had one interception and senior kicker Nicholas Litang missed two field goals.
When the second half started, the Redhawks turned their play up a notch. Santacaterina got the offense rolling for the Redhawks, throwing his first of three touchdown passes with 5:10 left in the third quarter. Junior wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson leaped over a few Governors to come down with a 15-yard touchdown pass. Redhawks then trailed 13-10 heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter was filled with action, turning into a back and forth battle between the Ohio Valley Conference opponents. The Redhawks took their first lead of the game at the start of the fourth when sophomore tight end Austin Crump caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Santacaterina, making the score 17-13 with 13:55 remaining in the game.
Austin Peay answered right back with a 6-yard touchdown run from junior running back Tre Nation. The Governors regained the lead 20-17, with about eight minutes remaining.
Shortly after, the Redhawks answered again. Santacaterina connected with sophomore wide receiver Zack Smith for a 30-yard touchdown pass. Southeast then led 24-20 with just seven minutes remaining.
With time ticking, both teams increased their energy and tensions were rising. With about three and a half minutes to go Austin Peay scored again on a 30-yard touchdown pass to Wilson, his second of the day. The score now stood 27-24, APSU on top.
Junior wide receiver Jerrick Orr finished the day with 6 catches for 163 yards. Orr did not score any touchdowns this game, but made multiple plays down the stretch on the offensive side for the Redhawks.
Southeast was on its final drive with just under two minutes remaining when Orr caught a 37-yard pass from Santacaterina to give the Redhawks a first down near the red zone.
“I gotta make a play,” Orr said when asked what 2was going through his head the moment he jumped to make that catch.
Terry then went on to score a 2-yard rushing touchdown with 15 seconds remaining. This put the Redhawks up 31-27, and the atmosphere at Houck field was electric. The Governors tried and failed at a last second hail mary attempt, which was intercepted by junior cornerback Al Young as time expired and Southeast won their homecoming game.
Santacaterina threw for 344 yards, three touchdowns on 19-37 passing, and one interception. Wilkerson had four receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. Freshman running back Zion Custis had 12 carries for 53 yards For the Governors, Oatsvall threw for 229 yards, two touchdowns, on 15-29 passing, and two interceptions. Wilson had five receptions for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Southeast coach Tom Matukewicz was happy in how his players fought and how they were engaged on the field and on the sideline.
“It’s a blessing to be their coach,” Matukewicz said.
The Redhawks (4-2 overall, 2-1 OVC) will host Jacksonville State (5-1 overall, 4-0 OVC) on Oct. 20 with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
