Ronald Butler nailed Patrick Smith on a 14-yard scoring strike with 16 seconds remaining in the game as Tennessee State battled back to beat Southeast Missouri 32-31 on Saturday.
Butler engineered an 88-yard scoring drive in nine plays, hitting Smith for 23 and 28 yards until the Tigers (7-4, 4-3 Ohio Valley) were on Southeast Missouri's 14.
The Redhawks (3-8, 3-5) had taken the lead earlier when JJ Flye recovered a fumbled punt return on the Tigers' 16. Four plays later Will Young ran it in from the 4 with 7:13 left in the final quarter. Jesse Hosket passed to Stephen Dunn for two extra points and a 28-25 advantage.
Ryan McCrum later booted a 26-yard field goal with 2:48 remaining.
Butler threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns and Earl Harrison rushed for 168 yards on 23 carries for the Tigers. Smith caught 11 passes for 166 yards and two scores.
