Defensive effort leaves Redhawks with hope

Southeast held the defending OVC champions to 253 total yards in Saturday's loss.

Coming off a miserable defensive performance, Southeast Missouri State coach Tim Billings vowed that the Redhawks' defenders would be much better Saturday.

Billings was right on the money as the Redhawks -- scorched for 316 first-half yards during a 45-21 loss at Missouri State the previous week -- stifled two-time defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Jacksonville State.

But not even a defensive performance that limited the Gamecocks to just 253 total yards could push Southeast into the win column. The Redhawks fell to 0-4 by dropping their OVC opener 24-10 at Houck Stadium.

"I told you we'd play a lot better defensively," Billings said. "Our front played really well. When they play well, we have a chance to play well defensively."

Southeast's defensive line was bolstered by a quicker-than-anticipated return from injury by Bernard Quinn and the debut of Aaron McKenzie.

Quinn suffered an elbow injury during the season's second game, at Kent State, and did not play against Missouri State, but he was cleared for action against Jacksonville State.

McKenzie, a transfer from Wake Forest, had missed the first three games of the season while waiting on the NCAA to resolve eligibility issues.

McKenzie was finally ruled eligible late in the week and was a factor Saturday, recovering a fumble deep in Southeast territory late in the third quarter that halted a Jacksonville State scoring threat and kept the game tied 10-10. Justin Komondoreas was credited with forcing the fumble.

"Our defense played good, but we gave up one touchdown and that's one touchdown too many," Southeast linebacker Tunde Agboke said. "But we can build on this."

Unfortunately for the Redhawks, the stellar defensive effort went for naught primarily because of continued mistakes and the offense's continued inability to put up points.

Jacksonville State (1-3) returned a blocked punt for a touchdown early in the contest, and the Gamecocks sealed the victory late by returning an interception for a touchdown.

The Gamecocks' go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter was also set up by an interception, although they still had to drive 57 yards.

Southeast had three interceptions and lost a fumble, in addition to having two more punts blocked, giving the Redhawks four blocked punts against them this season.

Conversely, Jacksonville State had only one turnover -- the fumble recovery by McKenzie -- and was flawless with its punt game.

"You just can't make those kinds of mistakes and beat a good football team," Billings said.

Southeast's offense moved the ball well much of the night, amassing 403 yards, with 355 of that total coming through the air.

But the Redhawks continued to struggle finding the end zone despite numerous trips into Jacksonville State territory. They have scored just six offensive touchdowns all season.

"We move the ball well, but we have to start scoring more points," Billings said.

The offense also took a hit when quarterback Kevin Ballatore, making his first Southeast start, suffered a left foot injury early in the third quarter after completing 22 of 37 passes for 195 yards, with no interceptions, although he lost a fumble.

Ballatore, on crutches after the game, feared that the foot could be broken, although that has not yet been determined.

Mike Haley, Southeast's starting quarterback the first three games, finished off the Redhawks' lone touchdown drive that had been started by Ballatore.

Haley completed 14 of 26 passes for 160 yards and three interceptions, although the two costly ones that turned the tide in Jacksonville State's favor were balls that deflected off Southeast receivers' hands.

Haley has been intercepted nine times this season, compared to just two touchdown passes.

All told, Southeast set a school record by attempting 63 passes, breaking the mark of 61 set earlier this season at Kent State.

With Southeast's running game struggling all season, the Redhawks decided to basically throw on just about every down. Southeast running backs had only seven carries the entire contest.

Counting runs by the quarterbacks, the Redhawks had 48 yards rushing on 19 attempts.

Antonio Scaife led the receivers with five catches for 67 yards. Jamel Oliver, Brian Matthews, Samora Goodson and Elton Peterson all had four receptions, Oliver's going for 87 yards.