Southwest Baptist was 21 yards from cutting Truman State's lead to one score. DJ Richmond, of Truman State, took it the other way.
Richmond picked off Cooper Owens, of Southwest Baptist, at the Truman State 2 on fourth-and-19 and ran it back 98 yards for a touchdown with 10:40 left. Truman State beat Southwest Baptist 41-17 in football Saturday in front of 4,018 at Stokes Stadium in Kirksville.
Truman State (4-4, 4-1 GLVC) had led 31-10 at the half and given some of it back.
Dylan Hair, of Truman State, fumbled at the goal line on third-and-3 from the Southwest Baptist 6 early in the third quarter, and Southwest Baptist recovered for a touchback. Two series later, Luke Allen, of Truman State, muffed a punt at the Truman State 36. Southwest Baptist covered it at the 33.
Vic Williams III, of Southwest Baptist, scored from 3 yards out eight plays later, and it was 31-17 with 5:07 left in the third.
Southwest Baptist (4-5, 3-3) got the ball back at its own 4 late in the quarter and marched to the Truman State 21. Tyrone Scyrus, of Southwest Baptist, ripped off runs of 17 and 22 yards. A holding penalty and two short runs left Southwest Baptist facing fourth-and-19.
Owens threw for the end zone. Richmond caught it at the 2 instead.
Two snaps later, Nick Closser, of Truman State, intercepted Owens and returned it 37 yards. Diego Perez, of Truman State, kicked a 25-yard field goal for the final points at 7:04.
Truman State built its lead on the ground. Madden Irving, of Truman State, ran 19 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns.
Irving scored from 13 yards on the opening drive. His 55-yard run on third-and-2 set up a 9-yard touchdown pass from Hair to Thomas Pulliam, of Truman State, and Truman State led 14-0 midway through the first quarter.
Kaleb James, of Southwest Baptist, answered with a 45-yard field goal. Irving's 37-yard run set up his own 1-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.
Then came a trick. On second-and-2 from the Truman State 41, Askia Bullie, of Truman State, threw deep to Allen for a 59-yard touchdown. It was Bullie's only pass of the day.
Jobe Smith, of Southwest Baptist, scored on a 2-yard run with 52 seconds left in the half. Truman State moved 59 yards in 47 seconds, and Perez hit a 33-yard field goal as time expired.
Truman State outgained Southwest Baptist 514-249 and ran for 328 yards on 45 carries. Hair completed 11 of 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown and ran for 55 yards. Allen caught two passes for 78 yards.
Owens threw for 164 yards on 16-of-29 passing with two interceptions. Keivon Flint, of Southwest Baptist, caught six passes for 80 yards, and Scyrus ran for 69.
Jack Weltha, of Truman State, led the defense with eight tackles. Bryant Pool had seven tackles and two for loss, and James Franklin III had six tackles and three pass breakups. Alex Medina, Alijah Jackman, and Devin Brown each had a sack. All five play for Truman State.
Truman State hosts Lincoln at noon Oct. 31 at Stokes Stadium.
Final tally: 41-17 Truman.