Eastern Kentucky did all it could to climb out of an early 20-point hole.

Southeast Missouri State had an answer every time the Colonels got within striking distance.

The Redhawks pretty much have had an answer for everything during this historic season, and that trend continued Saturday.

Southeast ran away from EKU in the second half to roll 40-21 and beat the Colonels for the first time in Cape Girardeau.

The Redhawks had been 0-9 against EKU at Houck Stadium and 2-18 all-time against the Colonels.

Southeast defender Justin Love reacts after tackling Eastern Kentucky quarterback T.J. Pryor during the second quarter Saturday at Houck Stadium. (Laura Simon)

"It was talked about," junior quarterback Matt Scheible said of the home losing streak to EKU. "But that's in the past."

Southeast put it way in the past with a second straight dominant second half.

"It's nice to beat Eastern Kentucky period," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "We try not to live in the past and not the future either."

The Redhawks blitzed EKU 20-7 in the second half one week after outscoring Austin Peay 28-10 over the final two quarters to win 41-24.

The Redhawks outgained EKU 202 yards to 58 over the last two periods and held the ball for 22 minutes, 35 seconds compared to 7:25 for the Colonels.

Southeast coach Tony Samuel and quarterback Matt Scheible chat on the sideline during the fourth quarter Saturday. (Laura Simon)

"I thought we had a very good second half as a team," Samuel said.

An announced crowd of 6,022 -- well below the impressive attendance figures for Southeast's first two home games -- saw the Redhawks notch their seventh straight victory, matching the 1975 squad for the program's most recent longest winning streak.

Southeast, No. 13 nationally for its highest ranking since joining the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA, in 1991, improved to 7-1 and remained atop the Ohio Valley Conference standings at 6-0.

The Redhawks have clinched at least a second-place tie in the nine-team OVC with two conference games left as they roll toward an anticipated title showdown at third-ranked Jacksonville State on Nov. 13.

"It starts in practice. We work hard every week," junior wide receiver Chantae Ahamefule said of Southeast's accomplishments.

Southeast quarterback Matt Scheible tries to break free from a tackle during the second quarter.

Southeast blitzed EKU (2-5, 1-2) from all angles, piling up 231 yards rushing against a nationally ranked rushing defense that had been allowing 106.5 yards per game. The Redhawks also threw for a season-high 177 yards.

The Redhawks finished with 408 yards compared to 264 for EKU and came up with four turnovers -- all on interceptions -- while not turning over the ball.

"It was a great effort by both sides," senior running back Nathan Grass said.

Although the yardage came tough, senior tailback Henry Harris -- who entered as the nation's leading FCS rusher -- extended his school record for consecutive 100-yard games to seven.

Harris had 109 yards on 23 carries, giving him 1,129 yards this season. He scored two touchdowns, on a 4-yard run and a 34-yard pass from Scheible to boost his OVC touchdown lead to 12. It was the first TD reception of his career.

"He had a very good day of running against a very good defense," Samuel said.

Scheible, who hasn't thrown much so far this year since Southeast has dominated on the ground, completed 9 of 10 passes for a season-high 177 yards. He matched his career high with three touchdown passes.

"When you get nine guys, eight guys in the box, it definitely opens up passing lanes," said Scheible, whose only incompletion came late in the game when he threw away a ball.

Scheible, the OVC's third-leading rusher, added 86 yards on 19 carries. He has 669 yards this season.

"I always mention we try to take what people give us," Samuel said. "I thought Matt did a great job. He was patient, didn't force things."

In addition to hitting Harris, Scheible's other touchdown passes were a 51-yarder to Ahamefule and a 23-yarder to Grass.

Grass, who earlier this year got his first collegiate touchdown, also scored on a 7-yard run.

"This year he's back to what we saw as a high school player," Samuel said of Grass, a former standout at Valle Catholic in Ste. Genevieve, Mo.

Southeast also got field goals of 32 and 30 yards by sophomore Drew Geldbach.

"We were clicking on all cylinders today," junior defensive end Steve Hendry said.

Hendry helped get Southeast started fast when T.J. Pryor was hit hard just as he threw on the game's first play from scrimmage. Hendry made a diving interception of the pass that popped into the air at the EKU 31-yard line.

"What I could tell, J.J. Sanchez and Darrick Borum hit him pretty good," Hendry said. "I saw the ball pop up. All I was thinking was don't drop it, don't drop it."

Harris scored on a 4-yard run for a 7-0 lead just 1:29 into the contest.

After an EKU three-and-out, Southeast drove 80 yards. Scheible and Harris connected on their 34-yard touchdown to make it 13-0, but the PAT failed.

Senior cornerback Abraham Woodard intercepted Pryor on EKU's next possession and Scheible threw the 51-yarder to Ahamefule. It was 20-0 just 12:19 into the game.

"I thought we had a great start," Samuel said. "We go up 20-0, I was a little nervous to be honest with you."

With good reason because EKU made it 20-14 by halftime.

But the second half was all Southeast.

The Redhawks scored on the first possession of the third quarter -- Grass ran in from 7 yards out -- and never looked back.

EKU's only highlight was a 98-yard kickoff return in the third quarter that made it 30-21, but Southeast answered with an 80-yard drive capped by Scheible's 23-yard pass to Grass. The Redhawks had control the rest of the way.

"I think there's no question they're a legit football team," EKU coach Dean Hood said of the Redhawks.