Defense delivers a victory for its coordinator

Southeast Missouri State met an evenly matched opponent Saturday night.

Unfortunately for the Redhawks, it was a team that won just one game last year, was 0-11 the year before and now has lost three to open this season.

Indiana State, the cellar dweller from the Gateway Conference, rolled into Houck Stadium on Saturday night and was unable to find the end zone until a long punt return and a subsequent special teams penalty helped open the door.

The Sycamores cashed in for a one-play, 34-yard drive that made the score 13-10 with 4:13 to go.

Other than that, Indiana State accumulated 321 yards that produced mostly futility -- two missed field goals, three fumbles, two punts and a turnover on downs that formally ended the Sycamores' chances.

Sycamores, left, and Redhawks waited to see who recovered an Indiana State fumble in the first half Saturday, September 15, 2007, at Houck Stadium. Southeast Missouri State recovered the ball. (Kit Doyle)

For Southeast Missouri State defensive coordinator Tim McGuire, who had spent seven seasons as the head coach trying to get Indiana State off the floor from 1998 to 2004, it was satisfying having the unit that stood out Saturday night -- and did so in his behalf.

"This game was played for coach Mac," junior defensive end Hannibal Vaivao said. "We all had fire in our hearts for him."

Vaivao was one of three Redhawks defensive players to come up with a sack, taking down Sycamores quarterback Reilly Murphy on ISU's final desperation drive.

That drive, which started with good field position at the Indiana State 46, resulted in two incomplete passes and two tackles for losses.

"We made the big plays when we had to make them," McGuire said. "That was a big four downs at the end."

The rest of the night, the Redhawks defense demonstrated bend but don't break, and -- more importantly -- take advantage of the miscues when you can.

Southeast recovered an ISU fumble on a shotgun snap in the first period at the Southeast 47 and another on the very next drive on a similar play at the ISU 20, which led to Southeast's first points on a field goal.

The other fumble was forced and recovered by senior defensive tackle Pat Christian during the third period. It ended an Indiana State drive that covered 77 yards to Southeast's 3-yard line and threatened to get the Sycamores back in the game earlier.

"Everyone was doing their jobs," Christian said. "Even on that fumble recovery, at least four guys wrapped him up so I could force the ball out of there."

Doing their jobs meant 14 tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery for sophomore linebacker Jared Goodson; and 13 tackles, one for a loss, for senior linebacker Adam Casper.

It also meant helping out while the Southeast offense eked out just enough in the second half -- 165 yards, 10 first downs and five punts. The best news from the offense Saturday, other than Doug Spada's kicks and Miles Edwards' acrobatic catch of Houston Lillard's TD pass late in the first half: no turnovers, which helped keep from putting more pressure on the defense.

"They had some offense," McGuire said of Indiana State. "They were another team that liked to spread things out and find creases. We came up with some big plays."

McGuire admitted he appreciated his players' extra effort on his behalf.

"It meant a lot," McGuire said. "That was very nice of them."

What would be nice now is continued improvement, especially as the schedule gets harder after two wins against an NCAA Division II team and the Gateway Conference's patsy -- not exactly the kind of victories that propel a team to an Ohio Valley Conference crown.

Christian has faith that better is coming.

"We've gotten better every week so far," he said.

Toby Carrig is the editor of semoball.com.