SEMO football wins season opener over Indiana State

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (Heartland News) - Slight underdogs, SEMO football did what it had to do, pulling off a 23-21 road win at Indiana State.

SEMO defeated the Sycamores Saturday, with 11 of SEMO’s 23 points coming from kicker Justin Keller.

Keller actually missed his opening field goal attempt in the first quarter, responding by making his next five kicks, three field goals and two PATs.

Despite the miss, SEMO still would score first. A failed fake punt from Indiana State gave the Redhawks good field position, and Khyair Spain would bounce from right to left field to dash in for a touchdown.

Indiana State would respond on the ensuing drive, scoring on an Elijah Owens touchdown pass to Keshon Singleton.

Jobe Bryant would be a difference-maker, catching a pass from Braylen Ragland and breaking loose for big yardage, giving Keller room to drill a field goal before the half.

Ragland would throw his first touchdown in the second half, a quick RPO pass to Lindenwood transfer John Anthony Jr.

Late in the 3rd, Indiana State would rebound with a short touchdown run from Ashton Hayes before the Sycamores took their first lead of the game, 21-20, with a deep pass to Jayden Reed.

SEMO’s final couple of drives weren’t special. But they were exactly what the team needed. A 48-yard drive burned three and a half minutes off the clock, Keller’s third field goal of the night putting SEMO ahead. Then with Indiana State punting, SEMO chewed the final four minutes to secure victory.

Braylen Ragland, in his first start for SEMO, finished the night 26-36, throwing for 274 yards and one touchdown.

Four SEMO receivers accounted for at least four interceptions, John Anthony Jr. bringing in six for 88 yards and the 3rd quarter touchdown.

Other notables included Spain, who rushed for 66 yards and a score on 17 carries. Cornerback David Jones also came away with the game’s only takeaway, intercepting a pass in the third quarter.

Also on defense, D.J. Delmore recorded 13 total tackles, three of them for loss.

On special teams, in addition to Keller’s 3/4 night, Kylen Harris-Norman returned two kicks for 65 yards. Punter Teagan Cobb had a solid night as well, four punts for 177 yards in his first collegiate start.

Next up on SEMO’s schedule is their hardest opponent of the year, Big 12 school Iowa State.

SEMO will face Iowa State, Saturday, September 5 at noon in Ames, Iowa. The game will stream live on ESPN+.