image via Tennessee State Football
Tennessee State couldn’t overcome costly mistakes and a dominant rushing performance by Southeast Missouri State, falling 33-14 to the Redhawks on Saturday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
After a relatively quiet first half, the game opened up in the third quarter, when SEMO scored 21 points to take control. A pivotal 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by DJ Delmore shifted the momentum and proved to be one of the biggest plays of the afternoon.
The Redhawks finished with 420 total yards, including 362 rushing yards on 59 attempts, while holding Tennessee State to just 47 yards on the ground.
Despite the defeat, the Tigers produced 277 passing yards but struggled to sustain drives and overcome turnovers.
First-Half Battle
SEMO opened the scoring with 14:48 remaining in the second quarter when Justin Keller connected on a 38-yard field goal to cap a 14-play, 60-yard drive.
The Redhawks carried a 3-0 advantage into halftime.
SEMO Takes Control in the Third Quarter
Tennessee State briefly grabbed the lead when Daylin Lee connected with Aaron Duncan II on a 3-yard touchdown pass with 11:03 remaining in the third quarter. Britton Watts added the extra point to give the Tigers a 7-3 advantage.
SEMO answered with a lengthy drive of its own. Khyair Spain powered into the end zone from one yard out, finishing an 11-play, 75-yard possession to put the Redhawks back in front, 10-7.
The momentum shifted dramatically just minutes later.
DJ Delmore intercepted a Tennessee State pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown, extending SEMO’s advantage to 17-7.
The Redhawks weren’t finished. Chance Wilson broke loose for a 23-yard rushing touchdown as time expired in the third quarter, capping a four-play, 57-yard drive. SEMO entered the fourth quarter with a commanding 24-7 lead.
Tigers Show Fight, But SEMO Responds
Tennessee State attempted to make things interesting early in the fourth quarter.
Lee connected with Brock Montgomery for a 16-yard touchdown pass with 12:22 remaining. Watts converted the extra point, cutting the deficit to 24-14.
However, SEMO quickly answered.
Spain recorded his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon, breaking into the end zone from 11 yards out with 9:34 remaining. The touchdown extended the Redhawks’ lead to 30-14.
Keller added a 35-yard field goal with 1:29 remaining to complete the scoring and secure the 33-14 victory.
Game Statistics
| SEM | TSU | |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST DOWNS | ||
| Total | 25 | 15 |
| Rushing | 21 | 1 |
| Passing | 3 | 12 |
| Penalty | 1 | 2 |
| RUSHING | ||
| Total (Net) | 362 | 47 |
| Attempts | 59 | 13 |
| Avg. Per Rush | 6.1 | 3.6 |
| Rushing TDs | 3 | 0 |
| Yds. Gained | 381 | 71 |
| Yds. Lost | 19 | 24 |
| PASSING | ||
| Total (Net) | 58 | 277 |
| Comp.-Att.-Int. | 6-14-1 | 21–37-1 |
| Avg. / Att. | 4.1 | 7.5 |
| Avg. / Comp. | 9.7 | 13.2 |
| TDs | 0 | 2 |
| TOTAL OFFENSE | ||
| Yards | 420 | 324 |
| Plays | 73 | 50 |
| Avg. / Play | 5.8 | 6.5 |
| Fumbles – Lost | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Penalties – Yds. | 4–44 | 3-30 |
| PUNTING | ||
| Punts – Yds. | 3-91 | 7–261 |
| Avg. / Punt | 30.3 | 37.3 |
| Inside 20 | 2 | 1 |
| 50+ Yds. | 0 | 0 |
| Touchbacks | 0 | 0 |
| Fair Catch | 1 | 1 |
| KICKOFFS | ||
| Total – Yds. | 7–440 | 3-169 |
| Avg. Yds. / Kickoff | 62.9 | 56.3 |
| Touchbacks | 3 | 0 |
| RETURNS | ||
| Punt: Total – Yds. – TDs | 6–41-0 | 0-0-0 |
| Punt: Avg. / Return | 6.8 | 0 |
| Kickoff: Total – Yds. – TDs | 2-33-0 | 3–58-0 |
| Kickoff: Avg. / Return | 16.5 | 19.3 |
| INT: Total – Yds. – TDs | 1-45–1 | 1-2-0 |
| Fumble: Total – Yds. – TDs | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 |
| MISCELLANEOUS | ||
| Misc. Yards | 0 | 0 |
| Poss. Time | 37:35 | 22:25 |
| 3rd. Down Conv. | 5 of 12 | 1 of 9 |
| 4th. Down Conversions | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Red-Zone: Scores – Chances | 4–5 | 2-3 |
| Sacks: Total – Yds. | 3–23 | 2-7 |
| PAT: Total – Made | 3–4 | 2-2 |
| 2PT Conversion: Total – Made | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Field Goals: Total – Made | 2–2 | 0-1 |
Key Performers
Tennessee State
- Daylin Lee: Two touchdown passes.
- Aaron Duncan II: 3-yard receiving touchdown.
- Brock Montgomery: 16-yard receiving touchdown.
- Britton Watts: Two successful extra points.
Southeast Missouri State
- Khyair Spain: Two rushing touchdowns.
- Chance Wilson: 23-yard rushing touchdown.
- DJ Delmore: 45-yard interception return touchdown.
- Justin Keller: Two field goals, including a 38-yarder and a 35-yarder.
What’s Next?
Tennessee State will look to regroup when they face Eastern Illinois next Saturday.
The inability to establish a consistent rushing attack, combined with costly mistakes and third-down struggles, proved too much to overcome against the Redhawks.
