Box Score | PDF Stats | Photo Gallery | Postgame Audio | Radio Highlights

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team forced six turnovers and churned out 244 rushing yards in a 41-17 victory over Southeast Missouri Saturday at Roy Kidd Stadium.

Eastern Kentucky (3-3, 2-1 OVC) capitalized on a number of Southeast Missouri (1-5, 1-3 OVC) miscues to build a 20-0 first half lead, but it was the Redhawks’ fourth turnover midway through the third quarter that ended a SEMO rally and helped the Colonels cruise to victory.

Southeast entered the game having committed only four turnovers all season. The Redhawks finished with six giveaways against the Colonels.

Junior running back Matt Denham accounted for 142 of Eastern’s yards on the ground on 23 carries and scored twice. He became the first Colonel since 2007 to rush for 100-plus yards in back-to-back games.

A 40-yard Colonel field goal with 1:18 left in the first quarter broke a scoreless tie.

A 28-yard punt by Southeast on its next possession gave EKU the ball near midfield again. On the first play Denham ran for 42 yards, dodging a tackler and then breaking loose down the left sideline. It appeared Eastern would have to settle for another field goal after #T.J. Pryor#’s pass on 3rd-and-4 fell incomplete. However, the Redhawks were called for defensive holding, giving the Colonels a first down at the two yard line. Denham carried up the middle to finish off the drive and EKU led 10-0 early in the second quarter.

Eastern Kentucky then took advantage of two straight fumbles by SEMO on kickoff returns. The first fumble gave the Colonels the ball at the 33-yard line. On 3rd-and-goal from the eight, Pryor connected with junior Cameron Bailey over the middle, but he was stopped inside the one-yard line. EKU gave the ball to senior #H.B. Banjoman# on fourth down and he found the end zone.

Southeast Missouri fumbled again on the ensuing kickoff and Eastern had the ball at the 40-yard line. The Colonels moved to the six, but had to settle for a 24-yard Luke Pray field goal and a 20-0 lead with 7:42 remaining before halftime.

The Redhawks finally seemed to gain some momentum late in the first half. Scheible rebounded from an interception and converted an 82-yard pass from his own five-yard line. Three plays later SEMO was on the board after a three-yard quarterback keeper with 1:35 left in the half.

Southeast cut the Colonel lead in half, 20-10, with a field goal as time expired in the first half.

The Redhawks were on their way to closing the gap to three points as they drove to the EKU 13-yard line on their first possession of the second half. However, an interception by Patrick McClellan at the eight put an end to the drive and the Southeast Missouri rally.

SEMO was still within 10, 27-17, when Denham polished off a 13-play, 76-yard scoring drive with a four-yard touchdown run with 6:04 remaining in the game. On the first play of Southeast Missouri’s next possession, junior Kevin Hamlin stepped in front of a pass and ran it back 39 yards for another EKU touchdown.

Pryor finished 12-for-25 through the air for 99 yards and a touchdown. He rushed for 72 yards on 14 carries. 

Scheible finished 11-for-22 with three interceptions. He ran for 75 yards and two touchdowns. SEMO’s Spencer Davis caught three passes for 116 yards.

The Colonels will host Tennessee State for Homecoming next Saturday at 3 p.m.

NOTES
--Junior Matt Denham became the first Colonel to run for 100-plus yards in consecutive games since 2007.  Bobby Washington was the last Colonel to do it.

--Junior Kevin Hamlin’s fourth quarter interception and return for a touchdown were both the firsts of his career.

--Matt Denham’s second quarter touchdown run was his third of the season.  He added his fourth of the season and sixth of his career in the fourth quarter.

--H.B. Banjoman’s second quarter touchdown run was his third of the season and 12th of his career.

--Sophomore Luke Pray kicked a 40-yard field goal in the first quarter.  He is now 2-for-5 from 40-plus yards this season.

--The interception by EKU’s Brooklyn Fox in the second quarter was his second pick of the season.

--Patrick McClellan’s third quarter interception was his first of the season and fifth of his career.

--H.B. Banjoman’s third quarter touchdown reception was his second of the season.

--T.J. Pryor’s third quarter touchdown pass was his seventh of the season and 25th of his career.

--EKU is now 12-1 in OVC home games under head coach Dean Hood. The Colonels have won seven straight against OVC teams at Roy Kidd Stadium.

--The Eastern Kentucky defense has forced at least one turnover in seven consecutive games dating back to last season.

--EKU scored on all five of its trips to the red zone.