Southeast Missouri State scores 21 straight points to beat Eastern Illinois 35-28

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) — Geno Hess rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns, Ryan Flournoy had 98 yards receiving and a touchdown and Southeast Missouri State beat Eastern Illinois 35-28 on Saturday.

SEMO trailed 21-14 midway through the third quarter before scoring 21 straight points to take a 35-21 lead with 8:06 remaining on Keveon Robbins' 1-yard touchdown.

Eastern Illinois answered with a three-play, 71-yard drive ending in Justin Thomas' 21-yard touchdown grab with 6:52 left. The Panthers forced a punt after SEMO's 11-play drive to get it back with 1:22 remaining.

Pierce Holley lead Eastern Illinois to the SEMO 26-yard line before three straight incompletions ended the game. Holley was pressured on the last play and his off-balance heave to the end zone was batted down by Joedrick Lewis.

Paxton DeLaurent completed 19 of 31 for 257 yards with one touchdown and one interception for SEMO (2-4, 2-0 Big South-OVC Association). DeLaurent also opened the scoring with a 21-yard sneak. Hess scored from 3 and 44 yards out.

Holley was 22 of 40 for 346 yards passing and two touchdowns for Eastern Illinois (4-3, 0-2). DeAirious Smith and Justin Thomas each had over 100 yards receiving.

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