Billings will wait to name starter at QB

Two weeks of practice will determine who will start against Eastern Kentucky.

Markus Mosley may or may not make his second collegiate start when Southeast Missouri State plays at Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 22.

The winless Redhawks (0-6, 0-3 Ohio Valley Conference) have an open date this week before visiting the first-place Colonels (3-3, 3-0).

Mosley, a true freshman, started at quarterback Saturday night against Eastern Illinois. He completed eight of 17 passes for 50 yards with one interception, and he also lost a fumble.

With Southeast trailing 48-10 early in the fourth quarter, senior Mike Haley -- who had started four of the first five games -- came on and led two long touchdown drives against mostly reserve defenders as the Redhawks lost 48-24.

Southeast coach Tim Billings, speaking at his weekly media conference Monday, said how well Mosley and Haley perform in practice the next two weeks will determine who gets the start at Eastern Kentucky.

"I don't know who's going to start next," Billings said. "They'll split time in practice and we'll see who does better."

Of Mosley's performance, Billings said, "Markus played like a freshman."

Through three quarters Saturday, Southeast's only touchdown came after the Redhawks recovered a fumble at Eastern Illinois' 2-yard line. Other than that, Southeast ventured into Panthers' territory just twice, with one drive reaching only the 45. The Redhawks had just 100 yards of offense in the first three periods.

Over the final 11 minutes, Haley directed drives of 80 and 85 yards that culminated in touchdown passes to T.J. Milcic, and he almost got the Redhawks another score in the final two minutes, but he was intercepted in the end zone.

Haley completed 14 of 24 passes for 177 yards as he helped the Redhawks post their highest scoring total of the season. He suffered a bruised right biceps late in the contest and might miss a couple of practice days, but Billings said he should be fine by the middle to end of the week.

"The game was basically over, but he played well, except for the last pass," Billings said.

As for junior quarterback Kevin Ballatore, who made his first Southeast start Sept. 24 against Jacksonville State but suffered a broken left foot early in the third quarter, Billings said he could be cleared for action against Murray State on Oct. 29.

"I can't see him being ready [for Eastern Kentucky]," Billings said. "The realistic goal is the week after Eastern Kentucky."

The bye week will provide additional mending time for other Redhawks.

Billings said tailback John Radney, who did not play Saturday because of a toe injury, should return for the Eastern Kentucky game.

Also likely to return for that contest is senior cornerback Marco Tipton, who did not play Saturday because of a hamstring injury.

Billings added of the bye week: "It's an opportunity to sit back and reflect, figure out things we're doing wrong, try to get better."

Players vow to battle

Despite the dismal season so far -- every loss has been by at least 14 points -- several Southeast players said after Saturday's latest defeat that they don't expect anybody to give up.

"It's all about heart," senior cornerback Kellin White said. "We have people willing to fight. We're going to keep playing hard."

Added Haley, "We have a lot of heart. We're 0-6 now, but we were 0-5 last week and we came back and worked hard in practice. I expect the same thing."

Said Billings of the current situation, "I never thought we'd be 0-6. Nobody is more disappointed in the season than I am. I came here to win. I've done everything I can to help this program succeed. It just bothers me more than anybody in this town.

"I care about this program, I care about this university. I want to win more than anybody else."

Schermann still hot

While Southeast's offense has struggled to score touchdowns all season, there have been no problems kicking field goals.

Although he has not yet attempted a field goal of more than 35 yards, Colin Schermann has been virtually automatic for the Redhawks, making eight of nine. He leads the OVC in field goals made and field goal percentage.

The only miss for the redshirt freshman from Central High School was a 33-yarder that went wide against Samford on Sept. 29.

"I was nervous when the season first started, but since the first game I feel pretty good. My nerves have settled down," Schermann said. "I've gotten good snaps and holds."

Other individual OVC statistical leaders for the Redhawks are David Simonhoff, who is first in punting with a 42.4-yard average; cornerback Monroe Hicks, a Central High School product who is first in passes defended with 10 (two interceptions, eight broken up); and defensive end Edgar Jones, who is tied for first in quarterback sacks with four.

Casper, Hunt come on

Two players who are fast coming on after switching from offense to defense had strong games Saturday as they continue to receive more playing time.

Linebacker Adam Casper, a fullback last year, had eight tackles. He entered the contest with four tackles all season.

Defensive end Kyle Hunt, who played tight end in junior college last year, had seven tackles, including a team-high two for loss. He had three tackles in the first five games.

"They both really played well," Billings said.

Safeties D'Eldrick Taylor and Mike Miller led the Redhawks in tackles Saturday with 11 and 10, respectively. Miller is by far Southeast's top tackler on the season with 52.

"He's playing great for us," Billings said.