Southeast Missouri State freshman running back Payton Brown’s college football debut on Saturday night looked a lot like many of his performances for the Hillsboro High School Hawks during his senior season.
Playing in the FCS Kickoff on ESPN, Brown ran for 97 yards and three touchdowns to help the Redhawks earn a come-from-behind 37-15 victory over North Alabama in Montgomery, Ala.
Brown earned the game’s Most Valuable Player award after tying the FCS Kickoff single-game record with his three touchdowns. He finished with 126 total yards in his college football debut.
A 6-foot-1, 216-pounder, Brown entered SEMO’s season opener as No. 2 on the depth chart as the Redhawks were looking for a running back to replace all-time leading rusher Geno Hess. Hess ran for 5,119 yards and 63 touchdowns in six seasons at SEMO.
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The Redhawks have had a 1,000-yard rusher in six of the last nine seasons, but went into 2024 with five newcomers among the eight running backs on their roster, including Brown.
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Brown enrolled at SEMO early after a sensational senior season at Hillsboro where he racked up 2,054 total yards (1,605 rushing, 449 receiving) and scored 34 total touchdowns in leading the Hawks to a runner-up finish in Class 4. He earned first-team all-state honors as well as all-conference and all-district accolades.
As a junior at Hillsboro, Brown was the Hawks’ third-leading rusher with 839 yards and third on the team in touchdowns with 13.
2023 Missouri Football Coaches Association all-state teams
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On Saturday night, Brown stepped up showed the skills that he displayed during his standout high school career with the Hawks.
SEMO trailed 15-7 late in the second quarter before Brown scored his first touchdown on a 1-yard run, cutting the deficit to 15-14.
With the Redhawks playing without standout starting quarterback Paxton DeLaurent, who went out with a game-ending injury, Brown led the comeback charge and took over in the second half.
Brown scored on a 25-yard run in the third quarter to put SEMO ahead 21-15 and then scored again, on another 1-yard run, to extend the Redhawks’ lead to 27-15.
The Hillsboro High product finished with 97 yards on 19 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and the three touchdowns. He also caught two passes for an additional 29 yards.
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SEMO’s next game will be at New Mexico State on August 31.
Hillsboro running back Payton Brown / Photo by Nate Latsch, SBLive
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Two people were seriously injured in a crash Wednesday morning in Cole County on Route B, south of Spring Ridge Road, near St. Thomas, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Around 11:50 a.m., a 2020 Honda CRV SUV driven by a 67-year-old woman from Meta attempted to turn southbound onto Route B and traveled into the path of 2018 Freightliner Cascadia semitruck driven by a 71-year-old-man, according to the crash report.
The driver of the Honda and the passenger, a 66-year-old-man from Meta, were not wearing seat belts and were airlifted to University Hospital in Columbia, according to the crash report. Both sustained serious injuries, according to the report.
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The driver of the semitruck was not injured, according to the crash report.
As summer recreation ramps up across Missouri, safety officials are reminding residents that water safety begins long before anyone steps into a lake or river. Understanding the risks of water activities, knowing personal limits, and making responsible choices are the foundation of preventing tragedies on the water.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and other safety agencies emphasize that natural waterways can present hidden hazards, including strong currents, sudden drop‑offs, and floating debris. Swimmers are urged to stay aware of their surroundings, use life jackets when appropriate, and avoid swimming alone.
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Officials say simple precautions—such as recognizing fatigue, monitoring weather conditions, and watching out for others in your group—can make the difference between a fun day on the water and a dangerous situation. As families head outdoors, authorities encourage everyone to treat water safety as a shared responsibility.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 2 drawing
15-26-43-48-60, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 6-2-1
Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 0-2-0
Evening Wild: 2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 4-9-6-4
Midday Wild: 5
Evening: 1-3-6-4
Evening Wild: 9
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 2 drawing
Early Bird: 13
Morning: 04
Matinee: 04
Prime Time: 08
Night Owl: 12
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Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from June 2 drawing
01-10-15-19-31
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
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To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
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For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
