Defense limits Austin Peay's chances

~ Southeast held the Governors to 290 yards on offense.

After being shredded for 566 yards during last week's 55-20 loss at Tennessee-Martin, the Southeast Missouri State defense bounced back in a big way Saturday.

The Redhawks allowed a season-low 290 yards to Austin Peay, and conceivably could have pitched a shutout.

But critical special teams and offensive mistakes led to all 21 of the Governors' points in regulation during what wound up being Southeast's sixth straight defeat, 34-31 in double-overtime.

During regulation, Austin Peay scored on a blocked field goal return, on a 9-yard drive following a muffed kickoff and on a 41-yard drive following an interception.

Southeast running back Alfred Reese ran through a hole during the first half Saturday at Houck Stadium. (Aaron Eisenhauer)

That's a paltry 50 yards for three touchdowns.

"We definitely improved a lot," redshirt freshman defensive end Damian Smith said of his unit. "We came together as a team."

Smith played a big role in Southeast's top defensive performance of the season, after the Redhawks entered play last in the Ohio Valley Conference in total defense (448.8 yards per game).

Smith was injured during the first half of Southeast's second game this season, against Southwest Baptist.

He missed the next five games before returning last week to see limited action at Tennessee-Martin.

Smith wreaked havoc against Austin Peay with two quarterback sacks, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

"It felt great being back out there," Smith said.

Southeast had five sacks Saturday, after compiling just nine sacks in its first eight games.

Before Saturday, the Redhawks had allowed less than 400 yards just three times this season, with a low of 354 yards.

"We played a lot better," Smith said.

Southeast's defense was also bolstered by the return of senior linebacker Adam Casper, the OVC's leading tackler who missed last week's contest with a knee injury.

Casper was credited with 16 tackles Saturday, followed by sophomore linebacker Jared Goodson with 11.

"[Smith] made some good plays," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "And it was really good to get Casper back."

Lillard, Edwards hook up

Junior quarterback Houston Lillard and true freshman wide receiver Miles Edwards made an impressive combination Saturday.

Lillard completed 17-of-31 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns. He reached career highs for yardage and touchdowns for the second straight game, after throwing for 252 yards and two TDs last week.

Edwards reached highs in his young Southeast career with eight receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns as he tied the school single-game record for receiving TDs.

Lillard hit Edwards with two 25-yard TD passes, along with an 18-yarder.

"Miles really stepped up and Houston played well," Samuel said.

Said the soft-spoken Edwards, who leads Southeast this season with 23 receptions and five receiving TDs: "What happened to me today could have happened to any of our receivers."

Converted defensive back Walter Peoples, a sophomore, had Southeast's other touchdown, on a 25-yard pass from Lillard. Peoples was moved to offense last week.

Senior Elton Peterson led Southeast's rushers with 80 yards on 19 carries, but for the second straight week the Redhawks struggled to run the ball effectively as a team. They were held to 88 yards, including five sacks of Lillard.

Spada struggles

Sophomore kicker/punter Doug Spada has had an all-conference-type season for the Redhawks.

Spada entered play Saturday second in the OVC and 12th nationally in punting with a 42.5-yard average.

He was also second in the league and tied for 17th nationally in field goals per game, after connecting on 11-of-13 in the first eight contests.

Against Austin Peay, Spada missed a 35-yard field goal early in the game and a 39-yarder with 4 seconds left in regulation that would have put the Redhawks ahead.

Spada also had a field goal blocked that was returned for a touchdown.

As a punter, Spada averaged just 34 yards on five attempts, although he did put two inside the 20. He leads the OVC in that department with 23.

Noteworthy

• For the first time all season, Southeast scored more than 21 points in an OVC game.

The Redhawks entered Saturday's contest last in the league in scoring offense (18.1 points).

• The Southeast women's basketball team received its championship rings at halftime during an on-field ceremony.

The Redhawks captured their second straight OVC regular-season and tournament titles last year.