CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – The SEMO offense has struggled a week ago at Lindenwood. That was nowhere near the case on Saturday, November 16.

The No. 12 Redhawks exploded for 567 total yards and six touchdowns as they won the shootout 54-45 over Western Illinois.

Paxton DeLaurent shined as usual with 405 total yards and five total scores, but the feel-good story of the game was Brandon Epton Jr.’s sensational return.

Epton Jr. transferred to SEMO from SMU in the offseason and was expected to have a big role all season at running back. However, Epton got off to a slow start, which only got worse when he was involved in a car accident.

Broke his wrist and missed seven games. Given that he had only played in three games before the injury, he was eligible to redshirt and miss the rest of the season. But he chose to stay, to work for a return. What a return it was.

Epton flew in and caught his first touchdown as a Redhawk to start the scoring, going to the ground in excitement after the score. He noted God’s role in his recovery, as well as the team around him.

“It was very draining mentally and physically, but the teammates around me picked me up,” Epton Jr. said. “Everybody around me picked me up, the medical staff, everybody in the building picked me up always making sure I’m okay, checking up on me and stuff. So that really helped me”

Epton Jr. would finish with 152 total yards and two touchdowns.

The blowouts continued, with each team relinquishing the lead moments after taking it. DeLaurent found Cam Pedro for a long touchdown, but the Leathernecks jumped back ahead 14-10.

Then came DeLaurent’s rushing touchdown, a brilliant effort to outspeed a linebacker in the corner of the end zone. That tied the score, and his touchdown pass to Tristan Smith later in the second quarter put the Redhawks ahead. SEMO would hold a 31-27 lead at the half.

DeLaurent would find Dorian Anderson, who struggled to stay awake after contact, turning it into a birthday score.

Both the Leathernecks and Redhawks continued to score points, but in the end, SEMO’s lead was too great for Western Illinois to overcome. On a relatively meaningless play late in the game, the Redhawks’ wide receivers came out to play defense on a big WIU salute, and Anderson made the interception to cap SEMO’s victory.

After Saturday’s win, head coach Tom Matukewicz offered his thoughts.

“It was just a hard-fought win, kind of like this season — there were a lot of ups and downs and crazy plays and this was definitely one of them,” Matukewicz said. “Super proud of how our offense responded. Certainly not how we think in St. Louis. They worked hard last week and had more balance in attack. The boys caught the ball well. I threw it well and moved the ball exceptionally well.”

DeLaurent also spoke to the media on Saturday. He was asked about the fact that it could be his last home game.

“I definitely tried to soak it all in, be here in the moment with my teammates. I have a lot of family here … I’m so excited to do this in front of everybody,” DeLaurent said.

With the win and No. 19 UT Martin’s shock loss to Tennessee Tech, the Redhawks clinched a share of the Big South – OVC title. However, SEMO has yet to earn a spot in the FCS playoffs.

To guarantee qualification, SEMO must win next week on the road at Tennessee State. There is also a three-way tie scenario with the Tigers and UT Martin, but the 100% guaranteed way to qualify is a win in Nashville.

SEMO faces Tennessee State in Nashville on Saturday, Nov. 23 with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

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