In a game that went down to the final play, Austin Peay simply ran out of time in their bid to spoil Southeast Missouri’s homecoming, falling 31-27 despite another outstanding afternoon on the ground.
Austin Peay (3-4, 1-3 OVC) racked up 226 yards rushing on 41 carries for a tidy 5.5 yards per rush. Three Govs averaged eight yards per carry as they continually found space between the tackles and off the edges against Southeast Missouri (4-2, 2-1).
After Austin Peay took the lead on a Jeremiah Oatsvell 17-yard touchdown pass to DeAngel Wilson with 3:34 left, SEMO picked up two first downs in quick strikes. Facing fourth-and-14 at the APSU 40, SEMO quarterback Daniel Santacaterina uncorked a prayer of a heave to Jerrick Orr, who somehow came down with it at the three-yard line. Three plays later, Marquis Terry punched it in with 15 seconds remaining, and the Redhawks escaped with a victory.
Both Kentel Williams and Wilson were well north of 100 all-purpose yards on the day. Williams finished with 104 yards rushing, 37 receiving and another 18 on returns, while Wilson needed just eight touches (five receptions, three carries) for 151 yards (127 receiving, 24 rushing). Oatsvall did his part through the air, finishing 15-of-29 passing for 229 yards and a pair of scores.
Austin Peay now enters the bye week ahead of their Oct. 27 homecoming matchup with Tennessee Tech at Fortera Stadium.