Billings keeps the faith in his offense

A struggling Redhawks offense has generated three touchdowns in two games.

Southeast Missouri State coach Tim Billings still believes the Redhawks will have an explosive offense this season.

But it's frustrating to Billings that they haven't been able to show it so far.

The Redhawks have scored just three offensive touchdowns during their 0-2 start, and one of those came in the closing seconds of the season-opening loss to Southern Illinois, after the outcome had long been decided and reserves filled the field.

"At this time, I thought we'd be better on offense, but we're not," Billings said during his weekly media conference Monday morning. "We're just really so inconsistent."

Southeast's latest offensive struggles came Saturday at Division I-A Kent State. Although they went up against a solid defense, the Redhawks managed just 295 yards and squandered numerous scoring opportunities deep in Golden Flashes territory.

A better offensive showing might have allowed the Redhawks to at least flirt with a major upset, because their defense turned in one of its top performances in years, allowing just 195 yards. But Kent State was still able to post a relatively comfortable 33-12 victory.

"I'm hoping we're not as far away on offense as we were Saturday," Billings said. "We didn't look very good Saturday."

Although senior quarterback Mike Haley completed 34 of 61 passes for 275 yards and a touchdown -- he set school records for passes attempted and completed -- the first-year starter threw three interceptions and had several other throws that were nearly picked off.

Through two games, Haley is 53 of 96 (55.2 percent) for 498 yards, with two touchdowns and five interceptions.

Junior backup Kevin Ballatore, who has seen some early action in both games, is eight of 18 (44.4 percent) for 61 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions.

"I don't think either one has been spectacular, but they haven't been horrendous," Billings said.

Against Kent State, Ballatore played one series early -- he misfired on both his passes -- but did not see any more action.

Billings said Ballatore will likely receive more playing time Saturday night when Southeast closes out its nonconference schedule against Missouri State in Springfield.

That's not because Billings is necessarily displeased with Haley, but more because he wants both signal callers ready when the Redhawks open Ohio Valley Conference play Sept. 24 at home against two-time defending champion Jacksonville State.

"I think so," said Billings when asked if Ballatore will see more action Saturday. "Not because of Mike. I think he can play better, but he was under a lot of duress [at Kent State].

"Maybe we should have played Kevin more. We want both of them ready [for OVC play]."

Billings said it's also important that Southeast establish a better ground game. The Redhawks netted just 20 rushing yards on 32 attempts against Kent State, although junior college transfer John Radney had 50 yards on 11 carries. He also caught seven passes for 28 yards.

"He had a great game," Billings said.

In two games, Southeast has netted just 90 yards rushing. The Redhawks are averaging only 1.7 yards per rush.

"We have to run the ball better."

Punt-team problems

After having two punts blocked -- one was returned for a touchdown -- during the 58-23 season-opening lost to Southern Illinois, Southeast had another problem on punt blocking Saturday.

Midway through the third quarter, Southeast's David Simonhoff was under such heavy pressure while setting up to punt deep in his own territory that he was forced to run.

Simonhoff was stopped at the Redhawks' 29-yard line, well short of a first down, and Kent State scored two plays later to go ahead 28-6.

Billings said he thought the punt team improved from the opener to Saturday, thanks in part to several personnel changes.

"We feel comfortable with what we have now," Billings said. "We got better, and we'll keep stressing it."

Billings said a lack of confidence with the protection might also be affecting Simonhoff when he does get the ball off.

After setting school and OVC records by averaging 46 yards per punt last year to earn All-American honors, Simonhoff is averaging just 36.9 yards on 14 attempts so far this season.

"It's like anything, he has to have confidence," Billings said.

Noteworthy

* Starting defensive tackle Bernard Quinn, who suffered an elbow injury against Kent State, is expected to be sidelined from two to three weeks.

* Defensive tackle Aaron McKenzie, a transfer from Wake Forest, still has not played as Southeast waits to hear from the NCAA regarding some eligibility issues.

* Junior tight end Seth McDowell, a Jackson High School product, caught the first pass of his Southeast career Saturday. It went for three yards.

* Missouri State is 1-1 after routing Division II Quincy 51-14 Saturday. The Bears opened the season with a 49-17 loss at Division I-A Arkansas.