Tenn. Tech edges SE Missouri in conference opener

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) — Derrian Waters ran for two touchdowns and Justin Kraemer kicked three field goals, including one of 51 yards, to lead Tennessee Tech over Southeast Missouri 29-27 Thursday night.

Waters scored on a 23-yard run in the first quarter and on a 2-yard run in the fourth that provided the winning margin for the Golden Eagles (2-1, 1-0 Ohio Valley). Henry Sailes also rushed for a Tennessee Tech touchdown and finished with a game-high 113 yards rushing.

Henry Harris rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown and Houston Lillard threw for 187 yards and two touchdowns for Southeast Missouri (1-2, 0-1).

Tennessee Tech took a 17-10 lead with under 2 minutes left in the first half on a 63-yard run by Sailes.

The Redhawks tied it 17-17 with 18 seconds remaining in the half on an eight-play drive capped by Harris’ 1-yard scoring run. But Kraemer’s 51-yard field goal with 4 seconds left put the Golden Eagles up 20-17 at halftime.

Southeast Missouri went ahead 27-23 on Lillard’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Bradley Brown early in the fourth quarter. Tennessee Tech retook the lead for good on Waters’ second touchdown run of the night.

Kraemer also hit field goals of 37 and 45 yards for the Golden Eagles.