Redhawks Hand Racers 30-17 Defeat in OVC Opener

Saturday, September 11

Stewart Stadium

6 p.m.

Murray State

Southeast Missouri

Photo by: Samantha Mohr

9/12/2010 12:23:52 AM | Football

Ehrhardt sets single-game record with 38 completions

Box Score
Box Score (.pdf)

Southeast Missouri scored the final 17 points of the game to turn a four-point deficit into a 30-17 victory over Murray State in the 2010 Ohio Valley Conference opener Saturday night in front of 7,014 fans at Stewart Stadium.

“I am extremely disappointed. We had a chance to win the ballgame and we left way too many plays on the field,” said head coach Chris Hatcher. “I don't know we fully believe that we can go out there and win the ballgame. We need some leaders on the team to really step up and want the ball to come their way.”

The Racers (0-2, 0-1 OVC) jumped out to the early advantage as quarterback Jeff Ehrhardt went 9-for-9 during a 12-play drive that covered 74 yards and ended with Ehrhardt finding Arthur Brackett for a 13-yard touchdown. Ehrhardt found six different receivers on the drive.

The Redhawks (1-1, 1-0 OVC) answered back on their next possession with a 14-play drive of their own. The 69-yard drive was done completely on the ground and capped off by a one-yard run from Mike Jones.

SEMO gained their first lead in the second quarter as they took the ball off their own goaline and went 77 yards before Drew Geldbach connected on a 40-yard field goal.

MSU drew even in the final minute of the half with an 11-play scoring drive. Ehrhardt started the drive with completions to Brackett, Rashad Daniels and Dexter Durrante before Dexter Barnett picked up a first down with a five-yard run. The drive stalled after another first down and Kienan Cullen hit a 42-yard field goal.

The Redhawks took the opening kickoff of the second half and got the lucky bounce as Geldbach's 47-yard field goal landed on the cross bar before rolling over.

The Racers responded with a touchdown drive of their own. After a short gain from Duane Brady, Ehrhardt found Daniel Ard for 24 yards, and then followed it up with a 17-yard completion to Brackett. Barnett converted a 4th-and-1 from the SEMO three-yard line and Brady ended the drive by going over right tackle for his first career touchdown.

SEMO took the lead for good on their next possession as Matt Scheible found Bradley Brown for a two-yard touchdown. The Redhawk defense then forced a three-and-out before driving down to convert a 37-yard field goal to take a 23-17 advantage.

MSU looked like they were driving for the go ahead touchdown, but Aaron Grimes intercepted and Ehrhardt pass to end the drive. SEMO took advantage of the turnover and needed seven plays for Henry Harris to go 33-yards for the game clinching touchdown.

Ehrhardt finished the game by completing a school-record 38 passes on 54 attempts for 245 yards and a touchdown. Ard finished the game with a career-best 11 catches for 117 yards. Brackett added six catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Zach Kutch and Brandon Wicks led the defense with 11 tackles each. Nathan Brinkley and Dontrell Johnson added 10 each.

The Racers return to action next Saturday as they travel to face Central Arkansas. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and can be seen live on the Racer Television Network.