Southeast Missouri State quarterback Jack Tomco set five schools records and spoiled the University of Tennessee at Martin’s homecoming as he led the Indians to a 50-35 Ohio Valley Conference victory.

Tomco threw five touchdown passes and racked up 429 yards of passing offense. The five touchdown tosses are a new school record, while the 429 yards represent the most passing yards in a game and most offense in a single game. With the five TD passes, Tomco tied a school record for most touchdown passes in a season with 17.

Despite the setback, the Skyhawks turned in a stellar offensive outing. The Skyhawks racked up 440 yards of offense, 314 yards of passing and 126 yards of rushing. The 440 yards of offense is seven yards shy of the school record for most offense. The school record for most offensive yardage in a game was set in 1995 at Eastern Kentucky when the Skyhawks racked up 447 yards of offense.

“I don’t know if I have ever seen our guys play any harder,” said UT Martin head coach Sam McCorkle. “They didn’t give up and they kept coming back. We made plays. Let me tell you something, that’s a good team (SEMO) over there. They didn’t dominate us. When its 28-22, we had a questionable call, but if we get the ball back, I think we could have gone up. If we get the lead, I think we could have won the ball game there.”

The Skyhawks enjoyed a 3-0 lead after the first quarter of play. Sophomore Brent Harris connected on a 49-yard field goal to give the Skyhawks the edge.

Southeast Missouri scored three touchdowns in the second quarter and built a 21-12 lead at the half. The Indians scored twice via Tomco who hooked up with Bill Coleman and Ray Goodsen.

Down 7-3, the Skyhawks relied on Harris to close the gap. Harris hit the second of three first-half field goals with 3:05 remaining in the second quarter.

SEMO answered, but the Skyhawks came right back, this time with Andrew Staten who scored on an 11-yard run. Harris cut the SEMO lead to six with a 37-yard field goal as the half expired.

After a scoreless third quarter, both teams combined scored 49 fourth-quarter points. SEMO scored 29 points, while the Skyhawks put up 20. Tomco threw three touchdown passes while Keiki Misipeka scored on a 13-yard run.

The Skyhawks used the quarterback tandem of Shane Williams and Brady Wahlberg to score in the fourth period. Williams hooked up with Damien Harris for a 24-yard TD pass, while Wahlberg rushed for a 4-yard TD. Senior Carlos Lattimore also scored on a 4-yard run.

With 10:42 left in the game the Skyhawks fumbled. SEMO recovered at the Tennessee Martin 45 and scored five plays later to take a 43-22 lead and dim the Skyhawks bid for the win.

“I’m proud of our guys, every one of them. I think they all tried hard and they all tried to make plays,” McCorkle said. “If they’ll keep doing that we will continue to get better and win games.”

The Skyhawks (2-5, 0-2) are idle next week. They return to action Oct. 26 when they travel to Nashville to play Tennessee State.

Courtesy of Sports Information