At an expected 0-3, Southeast football steps into OVC play

An 0-3 start to the season -- for the second straight year -- is not what Southeast Missouri State's football team had in mind.

But, realistically, it's what was probably expected from the Redhawks, who for the second consecutive season were saddled with a brutal nonconference schedule.

When the campaign started, most people expected Southeast to lose to Division I-AA powerhouse Southern Illinois, Division I-A Kent State and respectable Division I-AA program Missouri State.

That's exactly what happened, the nonleague slate capped Saturday night with a 45-21 loss to Missouri State in Springfield that was probably a lot more lopsided than most people expected.

So, in three games, the Redhawks were outscored 136-56. There were some positives, mainly in the first two contests, although Southeast no doubt took a major step backward Saturday night during a mostly miserable showing against a team that isn't very highly regarded.

But now that the nonleague schedule is over, Southeast can look forward to the season that really counts -- the Ohio Valley Conference season.

And the Redhawks sure aren't going to jump into their OVC schedule lightly. They open with two-time defending champion Jacksonville State, which comes to Houck Stadium Saturday night, although the Gamecocks are also off to an 0-3 start.

The Redhawks aren't exactly entering league play with much momentum, but in what once again appears to be an extremely mediocre OVC, it will be interesting to see how they stack up against programs more on their level.

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It was quite a start to the 2005 NFL season for one of three Southeast products currently playing in football's highest league.

Former All-American wide receiver Willie Ponder, in his third year with the New York Giants, returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown last Sunday during a win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Ponder, who has carved out quite a niche for himself returning kickoffs, scored his second career NFL touchdown. Both have been on kick returns.

Last season Ponder led the entire NFL in kickoff return yardage, and he's way ahead in that department through one week, averaging a whopping 47.8 yards on four returns.

Because of his big performance last week, Ponder received plenty of air time during NFL highlight shows, especially on ESPN.

Here's wishing Ponder continued success in the professional ranks, and also success to the two other ex-Southeast standouts in the NFL, backup offensive linemen Eugene Amano and Dan Connolly.

Amano is in his second season with the Tennessee Titans, while Connolly is a rookie with the Jacksonville Jaguars, although he was on Jacksonville's inactive list for its season opener.

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On the other hand, it was certainly anything but a big start to the 2005 NFL season for the St. Louis Rams, who laid quite an egg during a 28-25 road loss to the woeful San Francisco 49ers.

The Rams' offense rolled up and down the field for more than 400 yards against the 49ers but consistently faltered in the red zone, while the St. Louis defense allowed only a little more than 200 yards.

But the Rams' special teams continued their horrendous play from last year, which contributed heavily in the defeat.

Now, even though the season has barely gotten going, the Rams find themselves somewhat backed into a corner entering today's second game, at the Arizona Cardinals.

The last thing St. Louis wants is to start out 0-2, so it will be interesting to see what happens today.

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University of Missouri football fans hoping for a bounce-back season after the 2004 disappointment couldn't have been encouraged by last weekend's surprising loss to New Mexico.

Sure, the Lobos are a respectable program, having been a regular bowl participant in recent years, but there is no way they should go on the road and beat a team that fancies itself as a Big 12 Conference contender.

The Tigers did recover to blow out Troy on Saturday, so we'll see what happens once they start league play.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.