Redhawks freshman snags two interceptions

A true freshman cornerback took center stage Saturday among many defensive heroes for Southeast Missouri State.

Tim Hamm-Bey intercepted two second-half passes, including one that led to the go-ahead touchdown, as the Redhawks celebrated homecoming by beating Austin Peay 17-13.

"My opportunities came. I just took advantage of it," the soft-spoken Hamm-Bey said. "Coaches talk all the time about finishing plays. That's what I did."

Southeast had just one interception in its first six games before Hamm-Bey took over Saturday. Both picks were crucial.

Austin Peay, leading 10-7 early in the third quarter, faced third-and-7 from its 45-yard line.

Southeast Missouri State's Tim Hamm-Bey outruns Austin Peay's Ashlon Adams during the fourth quarter of SEMO's Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO won 17-13. (Kristin Eberts)

Quarterback Jake Ryan, under heavy pressure from blitzing senior linebacker Philip Klaproth, barely got off a pass that floated into the air.

Hamm-Bey swooped in for the ball and returned the interception 36 yards to the Austin Peay 22. Southeast scored the go-ahead touchdown on the next play.

Hamm-Bey's second interception, midway through the fourth quarter, halted a potential Austin Peay threat. Another good return, this time for 26 yards, swung field position and led to a punt that pinned the Govs inside their 10-yard line.

Hamm-Bey wasn't done. He broke up a second-down pass on Austin Peay's final possession, which led to a punt and the Redhawks running out the clock.

"I'm fortunate to have the D-line I have," Hamm-Bey said. "They applied so much pressure on the quarterback."

Hamm-Bey, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound St. Louis native who attended Lindbergh High School, was pleased to contribute but knows he still is a work in progress.

"I still have a lot of learning to do. The older guys keep teaching me," he said. "I learn so much from the older guys. I'm fortunate."

Hamm-Bey received his first collegiate start last week at Eastern Kentucky but came off the bench Saturday.

"This is one of those special kids," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "He came down and trained in the summer. He's a student of the game.

"You can see that talent, the way he ran the ball. You can see that all-around ability."

Statistically speaking

Both teams finished with under 300 yards, Southeast 295 and Austin Peay 287.

Junior tailback Renard Celestin, who scored the go-ahead touchdown, led Southeast rushers with 56 yards on 10 carries.

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Spencer Davis gained 46 yards on two option pitches from senior quarterback Matt Scheible.

Scheible completed 9 of 12 passes for 128 yards and added 30 yards rushing.

Sophomore D.J. Foster caught four passes for 81 yards.

Defensively, junior Blake Peiffer continued his strong season with 10 tackles. The OVC's top tackler has led Southeast in all seven games.

Klaproth and senior safety Bryan Blanfort followed with eight tackles each. Junior Joe Malolo had seven stops, a high total for a tackle. Junior linebacker Darrick Borum also had seven stops.

Austin Peay senior tailback Ryan White, who scorched Southeast for 228 yards two years ago, gained 148 yards on 29 carries.

Noteworthy

* Southeast plays its final road game Saturday at Tennessee-Martin. The Redhawks then finish with three straight home contests.