CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Southeast Missouri raced to a 19-0 halftime lead, then intercepted Samford quarterback Dante Williams in the final minutes to preserve a 19-14 victory on Saturday.
John Radney rushed for 69 yards and Tony Anderson had 43 yards and a touchdown for the Redhawks (3-1, 1-1 OVC), who took a 7-0 lead after Kevin Ballatore hit Stevelan Harper on a 7-yard TD pass late in the first quarter.
Southeast Missouri added another touchdown a few minutes later when Markus Mosley hit Samora Goodson on a 37-yard TD pass. But the extra point was blocked, and after Tony Anderson scored on a 7-yard run late in the half, Ballatore's 2-point conversion pass fell incomplete.
Samford (2-3, 1-1) finally got on the scoreboard when Dante Williams connected with Jeff Moore on a 6-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter, then pulled to within a possession when Brock Johnson scored from 8 yards out with 12:42 to go.
Samford had one last chance with the ball at the Redhawks' 17-yard line and 3 minutes to go, but Williams threw an interception in the end zone on fourth-and-14, and Southeast Missouri held on.
Williams finished 12-of-22 for 79 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Johnson rushed for 57 yards and another score for the Bulldogs.