TROY, Ala. -- Southeastern learned a lot from its first venture into Division I-A territory.
The Lions, playing their first game against a Division I team since re-instating its program following an 18-year hiatus, could not overcome a speedy Troy State defense, three turnovers and 15 penalties as they dropped a 28-0 decision before of an announced crowd of 19,889 Saturday night at Movie Gallery Stadium.
Aaron Leak passed for three touchdowns for Troy State (2-2), including a pair to Jason Samples and the TSU defense sacked Southeastern quarterback Martin Hankins six times and held the Lion's high-powered offense to 258 total yards
Troy State, which was opening its newly refurbished 30,000-seat stadium won its second straight game after losses at nationally-ranked Kansas State and Minnesota, overcame a sluggish start but then found its rhythm scoring on four of five possessions and extending its streak of home-opening victories to 17 games.
"I thought the defense did a nice job in the second half," Southeastern head coach Hal Mumme said. "(Defensive coordinator) Woody (Widenhofer) and his staff made some adjustments at halftime and we did a much better job holding them to seven points in the second half.
"This was definitely a learning experience, especially for our offensive line. We especially need to improve in our pass protection. But despite that, we should have scored when we were given the chances."
Troy State, playing as a I-A Independent before joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2004, fumbled on its opening possession and missed a field goal on the next before finding the end zone near the end of the first quarter. A 23-pass from Aaron Leak to Bryant Stewart moved the ball to the SLU 6 before Leak found Jason Samples in the right corner of the end zone and Thomas Olmstead's PAT gave the Trojans a 7-0 lead with one second remaining.
A 43-yard punt return by Rayshun Reed set up Troy State's second touchdown on its next possession as Marrio Fraser capped a seven-play, 33-yard drive on a 1-yard plunge.
Southeastern, which was shut out for the first time since a 6-0 loss to Nicholls State in the 1983 season-finale, had trouble moving the ball against the TSU defense as it punted its first five times it had the ball while making four first downs in the first half. Southeastern got its first chance to score in the second quarter when Marvin Jones forced a Leak fumble and Rudy Johnson recovered at the TSU 46. The Lions got as close as the TSU 22 before the drive stalled and TSU's Torre Lankford blocked a 39-yard field goal attempt by Hess Crockett.
The Trojans quickly moved down the field as Jermaine Richardson, who finished with 110 yards on 11 carries, rushed for 28 yards and Stewart weaved his way for a 29-yard reception on the next play. Two plays later, Leak found Samples in the end zone to cap a four-play, 77-yard drive giving TSU a 21-0 halftime lead.
Troy State opened the second half with a little luck as they capped a three-play, 80-yard drive to go up 28-0. DeWhitt Betterson rushed for 28 yards on the first play before a holding penalty moved the ball back to the TSU 38. Leak then threw an incomplete pass and his next attempt was tipped by Vernon Russell into the hands of Stewart who raced the final 30 yards to the end zone for the touchdown.
The Lions drove to the TSU 1 as Hankins found Josh Taylor for a 12-yard gain but Scott Goldberg was stopped at the line of scrimmage and a penalty moved the ball to the 6. A roughing the passer penalty on the next play gave the Lions new life to find the end zone, but the Trojan defense stiffened as Jeffrey Howard was unable to hold on to Hankins' fourth-down pass from the TSU 8.
Hankins finished 31-for-48 for 228 yards for the Lions, who could not run the ball on the Trojans finishing with minus-22 yards on the ground. Josh Taylor led Southeastern with eight receptions while Hutch Gonzales added five catches and Jeffrey Howard four.
Southeastern Louisiana 0 0 0 0 -0
Troy State 7 14 7 0 -28
FIRST QUARTER
TSU -- Samples 3 pass from Leak (Olmstead kick) :01
SECOND QUARTER
TSU -- Fraser 1 run (Olmstead kick) 8:58
TSU -- Samples 17 pass from Leak (Olmstead kick) 1:14
THIRD QUARTER
TSU -- Stewart 62 pass from Leak (Olmstead kick) kick 13:43
A - 19,889
SLU TSU
FIRST DOWNS 14 22
RUSHES-YARDS (NET) 22-(minus 22) 37-217
PASSING YDS (NET) 258 237
Passes Att-Comp-Int 32-50-0 12-22-2
TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS 236 454
Fumble Returns-Yards 0-0 0-0
Punt Returns-Yards 2-12 5-62
Kickoff Returns-Yards 1-53 5-305
Interception Returns-Yards 2-0 0-0
Punts (Number-Avg) 6-38.5 2-46.5
Fumbles-Lost 5-3 3-2
Penalties-Yards 15-88 12-114
Possession Time 34:43 25:17
RUSHING
Southeastern La. - Ray Perkins 11-26, Scott Goldberg 1-0, Aaron McDaniel 1-0, TEAM 1-(minus 2), Martin Hankins 8-(minus 46).
Troy State - Jermaine Richardson 11-110, DeWhitt Betterson 6-78, Marrio Fraser 8-45, Zsan Robinson 1-(minus 2), TEAM 3-(minus 3), Aaron Leak 8 (minus 11).
PASSING
Southeastern La. - Martin Hankins 31-48-0 228, Brian Sheppard 1-2-0 30.
Troy State - Aaron Leak 12-22-2 237.
RECEIVING
Southeastern La. - Josh Taylor 8-37, Hutch Gonzales 5-55, Jeffrey Howard 4-52, Ray Perkins 3-14, Choni Francis 3-13, Brooks Jordan 2-36, D.J. Jackson 2-27, Aaron McDaniel 2-11, Scott Goldberg 1-7, Felton Huggins 1-5, Brian Sheppard 1-1.
Troy State - Jason Samples 8-113, Bryant Stewart 3-114, Zsan Robinson 1-10.
