CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.- Ryan White rushed for 228 yards and one touchdown and Terrence Holt added 100 yards and two scores to lead Austin Peay State University to a 24-14 come-from-behind Ohio Valley Conference victory against Southeast Missouri, Saturday afternoon, at Houck Stadium.

The victory snapped APSU's four-game losing streak and improved it to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the OVC. Southeast Missouri, meanwhile, lost for the fifth straight time and fell to 1-5 overall and 0-4 in the OVC. APSU's win also spoiled SEMO's homecoming.

White, a sophomore, rushed for a career-best 228 yards on 32 carries while Holt ended with 100 on 23 carries. It was the second time this season White has rushed for more than 200 yards. It also was the second time White and Holt rushed for 100 or more yards in the same game; the duo did it previously in the season opener against Newberry.

The Governors overcame four turnovers and 12 penalties to post its first win since Sept. 8. In fact, APSU's fourth and final turnover resulted in Southeast Missouri leading 14-3 late in the third quarter-a    Jake Ryan pass was tipped in the flat with Redhawks safety Bryan Blanfort intercepting it and racing 69 yards for the score.

At that point, it seemed Southeast Missouri had the game's momentum. It seemed even more so when APSU drove right back down into SEMO territory but missed on a 42-yard field goal attempt.

But after SEMO responded with a three-and-out, the Governors took over...or should it be said White and Holt took over.  Other than a Ryan five-yard pass to Adrian Mines, it was either White or Holt carrying the ball on a drive that started at the Govs own 44-yard line. The big play was a White 36-yard rush that took the ball to the SEMO 12-yard line.

The Govs, however, seemed to stall at the SEMO six-yard line, needing four yards for a first down on fourth down. APSU head coach Rick Christophel gambled, eschewing the field goal. It proved successful. With SEMO looking for the pass, Ryan handed the ball to Holt who literally walked untouched into the end zone, cutting the leading to 14-10.

The momentum then shifted to the Govs. On the very next possession, SEMO quarterback Matt Scheible was intercepted by APSU freshman safety Jeremy Ross-only APSU's second interception this season-and the ball was returned to the SEMO 25.

White continued his domination by running for 15 yards on first down. White then carried two more times, the last time for a two-yard scoring, giving APSU a 17-14 lead.

APSU's defense, which allowed SEMO just 22 second-half yards, would not allow SEMO to change the momentum, forcing the Redhawks to punt once again.

The Governors took over at their own 36 and performed perhaps their season's best drive. APSU ran 13 straight times, taking seven minutes off the clock. On the 13 plays it was Holt carrying the ball on third and goal to put the Govs up 24-14 with 45 seconds left.

SEMO had no time for a comeback this year as the Redhawks were hoping to replicate last season's late come-from-behind win in Clarksville.  

APSU finished the game with 418 yards total offense compared to only 154 by the Redhawks and held a 37:26 to 22:34 time-of-possession advantage. The Governors finished with 325 yards rushing.  

In the first quarter, the Governors moved the ball from their own 13-yard line deep into SEMO territory as freshman Ryan, in his first college start, impressively directed the Govs downfield. Unfortunately, the drive ended when Ryan's pass was intercepted at the SEMO eight by Justin Woodlief.

That was as close as anyone came to scoring in the period as APSU outgained the Redhawks 103-42 in the period but had nothing to show for it.

SEMO finally broke through in the second quarter, changing their strategy on the Redhawks' third possession; instead of running to the outside, they turned to 6-2, 240-pound Mike Jones, who pounded the Govs' defense for 37 yards. Henry Harris then ran it in from one-yard out.

The Govs then committed a turnover on its next possession when SEMO stripped the ball from White deep in SEMO territory. But the Governors were able to dodge the proverbial bullet when the Redhawks' Doug Spada missed a 26-yard field goal.

Late in the half, Ryan's second interception led to SEMO taking over deep in its own territory.  APSU wisely used its timeouts to force a punt but the Govs were called for offsides, allowing SEMO a first down and an opportunity to run out the clock. However, SEMO quarterback Scheible and running back Nick Grassi failed to make connection. The fumble was recovered by freshman Jeremy Ross at the SEMO 24 with 20 seconds left.

After an incomplete pass, Ryan was sacked. The Govs had no more timeouts left and they rushed kicker Stephen Stansell onto the field. As the clock expired the ball was snapped and Stansell nailed the 41-yard field goal. Controversy ensued after the kick on whether the ball was snapped in time. Both teams literally were off the field before it was determined the kick was good.

-AP-