Scheible takes one snap but scores winning TD

Southeast Missouri State true freshman quarterback Matt Scheible has seen considerable action this season, including playing most of last week's game at Eastern Illinois.

Scheible came in for only one play Saturday -- but what a play it was.

Scheible's 5-yard touchdown run on third down in overtime provided the difference as the Redhawks stunned 19th-ranked Tennessee State 27-20.

"It was a great feeling," Scheible said.

Senior Houston Lillard went most of the way at quarterback, and he helped Southeast rally from a 17-3 fourth-quarter deficit with two touchdown passes.

Lillard had Southeast marching on the first possession of overtime when the Redhawks' coaching staff turned to Scheible.

Southeast coach Tony Samuel said it was simply a matter of the third-down play called -- a pass-run option -- being one that Scheible generally works on more than Lillard during practice.

"It's a play we run a lot, usually with Matt," Samuel said.

Probably because Scheible is an impressive runner who has made several big plays with his feet this season, which comes in handy when the pass it not available.

That's what Scheible said happened Saturday, so he was forced to take off.

Scheible headed toward the right corner of the end zone and left his feet, with the ball just getting inside the pylon for the only points of overtime.

"That was a great effort," Samuel said.

It appeared as if Scheible left his feet a couple yards short of the goal line. In the excitement of the play, he said he didn't even realize that.

"People said I jumped from a few yards out, but I didn't feel that," Scheible said. "It felt like I was right on top of the pylon.

"I knew I got in, but I didn't know if my plant foot went out of bounds when I jumped."

Scheible said he prepares for every game as if he'll get in, then simply adjusts to the situation. He was glad to receive the call from offensive coordinator Vince White -- even if only briefly -- Saturday.

"I was ready to go in, but I didn't think I would get called on in that situation," Scheible said. "Coach White always tells me to be ready. I'm in the game [mentally] all the time."

It paid off Saturday.

Birthday boy contributes

Southeast redshirt freshman wide receiver Chante Ahamefule celebrated his 19th birthday Saturday in style.

Two of Ahamefule's four receptions against TSU came in the last 20 seconds of regulation and led to Doug Spada's 37-yard field goal on the final play to force overtime.

Ahamefule caught a 22-yard pass to the TSU 35 with 10 seconds left.

With Southeast out of timeouts, Ahamefule nabbed a 20-yarder from Lillard and got out of bounds at the TSU 20. Spada nailed his kick on the next play for a 20-20 tie.

"I just wanted to win. We've worked so hard and believed we could do it," Ahamefule said.

The 6-foot-6 Ahamefule entered play Saturday with five receptions for 75 yards.

He caught four passes for 85 yards against the Tigers.

"It felt good," said Ahamefule of his contributions. "I've been going hard. When my number was called, I was happy to make the play."

Samuel believes Ahamefule, who like the Redhawks' coach is from New Jersey, has a bright future.

"He's coming," Samuel said.

Noteworthy

• Southeast had no turnovers Saturday, while TSU threw three interceptions.

That helped offset TSU's big total yardage advantage of 450 to 293 as the Tigers held the ball for 36 minutes, 51 seconds compared to 23:09 for Southeast.

"Turnovers usually get you," Samuel said.