Southeast Missouri State's defense not only has been much improved this season, it has been very opportunistic.

The Redhawks' ability to create turnovers paid off big during Saturday's 40-21 home win over Eastern Kentucky.

Southeast's defense came up with four turnovers -- all on interceptions -- while the Redhawks did not commit a turnover.

"It's something we've been working on," junior defensive end Steve Hendry said of creating turnovers.

Three of the interceptions led to 17 points for Southeast.

The first interception, on the game's first play from scrimmage, helped get Southeast started fast.

EKU sophomore quarterback T.J. Pryor, the 2009 Ohio Valley Conference freshman of the year, dropped back to pass but was hit just as he threw.

Hendry made a diving catch of the pass that popped into the air at the EKU 31-yard line. The Redhawks scored a touchdown for a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the contest.

"Getting a turnover, that's a momentum changer," junior quarterback Matt Scheible said.

Southeast led 13-0 when senior cornerback Abraham Woodard halted EKU's first good drive.

The Colonels had moved to the Southeast 30-yard line and faced third-and-3. Pryor's pass deflected off the hands of a receiver and right to Woodard, who returned his second pick of the season 14 yards to the 34.

Southeast drove 66 yards for a touchdown and a 20-0 lead still in the first quarter.

Early in the third period, with the Redhawks ahead 27-14, sophomore linebacker Darrick Borum intercepted his second pass of the season and returned it 19 yards to the EKU 20. That set up a field goal.

Junior college transfer cornerback Kweku Arkorful capped the four-interception performance with his first collegiate pick 33 seconds from the end of the game.

"That was a very good turnover day, especially the first play of the game," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said.

The Redhawks increased their OVC-leading interception total to 14. They are plus-nine in turnover margin after entering play second in the OVC and 24th nationally at plus-five.

Riverboat gambler

Samuel smiled when asked about the decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Southeast 33-yard line on the first play of the final period.

The Redhawks led 37-21 and if they failed to convert, EKU would have a short field to get back in the game.

That became a moot point when Scheible picked up the first down on a sneak -- by about the nose of the ball.

"I'm sure the defensive coaches weren't happy with that," Samuel said. "I let the players talk me into that."

Southeast didn't score on the possession but did pin EKU deep after a punt. The Colonels never threatened again.

Noteworthy

* Senior linebacker Justin Woodlief, senior cornerback Aaron Grimes, senior safety Aris Bowen and sophomore linebacker Blake Peiffer all tied for the team lead in tackles with five.

Senior defensive tackle J.J. Sanchez and sophomore defensive end Justin Love both received credit for half a sack.

* Southeast, which entered leading the nation in third-down conversions at 55.4 percent, converted just 4 of 11 (36.4 percent) but the Redhawks were 2 of 2 on fourth downs.

* Scheible, who had been sacked only three times all season, was sacked twice by EKU.

* The Redhawks gave up their second kickoff return for a touchdown this season.

"I was disappointed because those things can turn a game," Samuel said.