Holloman busts into end zone for game-winner

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- All four of Southeast Missouri State's wins this year required fourth-quarter comebacks.

The first three were led by senior quarterback Houston Lillard.

With Lillard sitting out Saturday's season finale because of a knee injury, Matt Scheible did the honors.

Scheible, the Redhawks' quarterback of the future, showed he's not too bad for the present.

Scheible, a true freshman, led a 60-yard drive in the final minutes that culminated in a touchdown with 13.3 seconds left.

MICHAEL WILLIAMSON ~ Special to the Southeast MissourianSoutheast freshman quarterback Matt Scheible looks downfield for an opener receiver during Saturday's game at Austin Peay.

That allowed Southeast to finish another losing season with a thrilling 33-30 victory over host Austin Peay.

"That was awesome," Scheible said. "An unbelievable feeling."

Trailing 30-26, Southeast took over at its 40-yard line with 4 minutes, 11 seconds remaining.

"We were confident we would do it," junior wide receiver Walter Peoples said.

The Redhawks needed to convert fourth downs three times to keep their comeback hopes alive.

On fourth-and-2 from the Southeast 48, Scheible hit senior Mike Williamson with a 5-yard pass over the middle.

On fourth-and-3 from the Austin Peay 40, Scheible scrambled for 5 yards.

The next play saw 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman Chantae Ahamefule go high to haul in a 34-yard pass from Scheible with 51 seconds left.

Southeast had the ball inside the Austin Peay 1 -- but the suspense was just beginning.

"It got kind of nerve-wracking," senior tailback Timmy Holloman said.

Scheible tried to sneak in on first down, but was ruled short. The Redhawks called their final timeout.

Again Scheible tried a sneak -- and again he was ruled short, although it appeared the ball crossed the goal line.

"I thought I got in," Scheible said.

With the clock ticking down, Scheible spiked the ball to set up an all-or-nothing fourth-down play with 17 seconds left.

"I'm not going to lie, I was nervous," Scheible said.

Holloman took a handoff and got into the end zone with 13.3 seconds left.

"There's not many times you convert three fourth downs in a game, let alone a final drive," Scheible said.

When Austin Peay's Isaac Ziolkowski came up well short on a 56-yard field goal attempt at the final horn, the victory was secured.

"That was a beautiful drive," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said of the game-winning march. "Scheible's got a bright future. I just like his poise."

The Redhawks had long been relegated to the program's 16th losing record -- and sixth straight -- in 18 Division I-AA seasons.

That didn't prevent the Redhawks from celebrating as if they had captured a championship.

"It's a great way to end the season," senior linebacker Nick Stauffer said.

Southeast wound up 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Redhawks and Austin Peay (2-9, 2-6) finished tied for seventh in the nine-team OVC.

Southeast had to overcome a staggering three blocked punts, all in the first half, to salvage a final win and break a three-game losing streak.

The host Governors turned those miscues into 13 points as they grabbed a 20-10 halftime lead.

"Those are three major hurdles to overcome," Samuel said, "It was crazy how those things happened."

Austin Peay also got a touchdown after Southeast muffed a third-quarter punt.

"We just kept playing," Stauffer said of fighting through the mistakes.

Southeast appeared to be in bad shape when a field goal with 6:31 left put Austin Peay ahead 30-20.

True freshman Jacob McKinley returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the Austin Peay 31.

Two plays later, Scheible threw his career-high third touchdown pass of the day, a 27-yarder to Ahamefule that was tipped by a defender before Ahamefule snared the ball in the end zone.

"That was great concentration," Samuel said.

Junior Doug Spada, who earlier kicked two field goals, was wide on the extra point, leaving the Redhawks behind 30-26.

Southeast's defense forced a three-and-out, which led to the Redhawks' winning touchdown.

"I had confidence we could pull it out," Scheible said.

The Redhawks appear to have plenty of confidence in Scheible.

Playing an entire game for the first time this year, Scheible completed 12 of 24 passes for a career-high 195 yards. He rushed for 73 yards on 17 carries.

"He's doing the right things. He's got a great future," said Peoples, who caught two of the TD passes, from 44 and 25 yards.

Added Ahamefule: "Matt Scheible is the man. He's going to be the man for years to come."