Callanan sees significant minutes in loss

~ Victory Anderson went 0-for-7 passing with an interception.

Southeast Missouri State again used two quarterbacks for a good portion of Saturday's game.

It just wasn't the same pair that had shared that position for the first four contests this season.

Houston Lillard's two cracked ribs suffered last week at Samford took him out of the equation.

But against two-time defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Eastern Illinois, Steve Callanan joined the mix.

While starter Victor Anderson saw the bulk of playing time through three quarters, Callanan received the first significant action of his Southeast career, including the entire fourth quarter.

And the walk-on redshirt freshman largely played well, even though the Panthers pulled away in the second half for a 31-16 victory.

"I have a lot to improve on, but I was fighting," Callanan said.

Before Saturday, Callanan's collegiate career as a quarterback had consisted of a few plays in the closing moments of a win over Southwest Baptist on Sept. 8.

Callanan had not attempted a pass in a Southeast uniform.

In fact, following the Southwest Baptist contest, Callanan was moved to safety to provide some depth to a banged-up secondary, although he saw no game action in the defensive backfield.

Callanan was moved back to offense after Lillard went down. He said he was told during the week that he would probably play some against EIU, but he didn't expect that much action.

"I am a little surprised how much I played," said Callanan, a graduate of Vianney High School in St. Louis County. "They [the coaches] told me I'd get a series here or there."

Callanan directed his first series that began late in the opening period and resulted in Southeast's lone touchdown, a 52-yard run by Timmy Holloman early in the second quarter, although Callanan did not attempt a pass on the drive.

Late in the second quarter, Callanan was given his second crack after Southeast recovered a fumble at the EIU 35-yard line.

This time Callanan completed his first three collegiate passes -- good for 22 yards -- which led to a short Doug Spada field goal.

After Southeast fell behind 28-16 late in the third quarter, Callanan played the rest of the way.

Callanan finished 7-of-18 for 60 yards and one interception, although that was a pass that hit off the hands of a Southeast receiver.

"It was a blast," said Callanan of his extended playing time. "I haven't played very much since my senior year of high school. I loved every minute of it."

Asked whether he expected to play Callanan that much, Southeast coach Tony Samuel said: "Yes and no. He does a pretty good job throwing the ball. Then we got behind."

Anderson, who entered the game completing just 39.1 percent of his passes, was 0-for-7 with an interception, although that hit off the hands of a Southeast receiver.

Anderson rushed for 44 yards on eight carries.

Holloman over 100 again

Holloman, the Redhawks' junior tailback, had his fourth straight game of at least 100 yards rushing. No Southeast player had done that three consecutive times since 1988.

Holloman gained 133 yards on 28 carries, but he was held to 20 yards on nine attempts in the second half.

"Timmy's running well, and I thought the line blocked better," Samuel said.

Holloman, with 655 yards this year, now has 1,996 yards in his career. He is No. 4 on the school's career rushing list.

Noteworthy

• EIU outgained Southeast 354 yards to 256. The Redhawks had only 104 yards in the second half, while the Panthers had 183 yards after halftime.
• In addition to kicking field goals of 26, 27 and 38 yards, Spada averaged 47.6 yards on seven punts. The sophomore has made 9-of-10 field goals this season.
• Ste. Genevieve Valle product Nathan Grass, a freshman, recovered a fumbled punt that set up a Spada field goal. Matt Stahlberg had Southeast's other fumble recovery, which also set up a field goal.