Cape Girardeau, Mo. (KFMO) - Southeast Missouri has earned a share of the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Association title after defeating Western Illinois 54-45.
The Redhawks (9-2, 6-1) were able to outgun the Leathernecks (3-8, 2-5) on Saturday despite both teams putting up nearly 600 yards of total offense. SEMO led 31-27 at the half, and were able to take a two-score lead late into the fourth.
Western Illinois scored a late touchdown, giving them a chance to make it an 8 point game, but a failed two-point conversion kept the game at 9, allowing the Redhawks to maintain that advantage and run out the rest of the clock.
Quarterback Paxton DeLaurent completed 25 of 40 passes for 375 yards. He had 4 touchdowns and no interceptions. Brandon Epton Jr. rushed 22 times for 122 yards and 1 touchdown, while DeLaurent recorded 40 yards and another touchdown on the ground.
SEMO will try to clinch the the full Big South-OVC title next week, they travel to Tennessee State, one of the three teams who could potentially share the title at 5-2.
