Former Redhawks earn spots in NFL despite program's recent struggles

For a college football program that hasn't been much of anything to speak of from a success standpoint in recent years, it's impressive that three Southeast Missouri State products made season-opening NFL rosters.

As people who follow the Redhawks probably know, linebacker Edgar Jones is with Baltimore, offensive lineman Eugene Amano is with Tennessee and cornerback Dimitri Patterson is with Kansas City.

Jones completed his eligibility at Southeast a year ago, while Amano and Patterson last played for Southeast in 2003.

Only Amano, who is entering his fourth season with the Titans, was drafted, being taken in the seventh round.

All told, that makes five Southeast products who have been in the NFL this decade.

Willie Ponder played in the NFL the past four seasons for several teams -- he led the league in kickoff returns in 2004 -- but was not invited to a training camp this year.

Offensive lineman Dan Connolly, who was released by Jacksonville last weekend prior to the final roster cuts, played for the Jaguars in 2005 and spent all of 2006 on injured reserve.

By the way, while Amano, Jones and Patterson aren't making all that much by NFL standards, they are certainly doing well for themselves financially.

The NFL's minimum salary is $285,000. Jones and Patterson are probably being paid right around that, while Amano is likely making a bit more since he's in his fourth season.

Not too shabby.

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The Ohio Valley Conference's football reputation, which has been plenty shaky over the years, took another hit during the second week of the season.

Tennessee-Martin, the 2006 OVC co-champion and a nationally ranked squad this year, lost at home Thursday night to Missouri State 51-44, after the Bears led 51-34 with less than three minutes left.

Missouri State tied for last place in the rugged Gateway Conference a year ago, when it went 2-9.

That result may or may not spell trouble for Southeast, which visits Missouri State this season.

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Two items regarding Appalachian State's monumental win at Michigan on Sept. 1 that is being called one of the biggest upsets in college football history:

First of all, I loved it, and not just because I cover a Division I-AA team (Southeast) on a regular basis.

To me, there is nothing better in sports than a huge underdog posting a stunning upset.

Second, I have to give a shoutout to Southeast assistant coach Justin Kramer, who all but predicted it would happen.

Me and Justin were sitting together during the previous night's Southeast soccer game at Houck Stadium when he told me don't be surprised if Appalachian State gives Michigan all it wants, and maybe even wins.

Come on, I told Justin. I know Appalachian State is a great I-AA team, and would probably beat many I-A squads.

But winning at Michigan, in front of more than 100,000 fans? No way, I said.

Justin explained his reasoning. He was a senior offensive lineman at Southern Illinois in 2005 when the Salukis were throttled at Appalachian State in the first round of the I-AA playoffs.

He told me the Mountaineers -- who would go on to win the first of their consecutive national titles in 2005 -- were the fastest team he had ever played against. He figured that speed would give Michigan matchup problems.

Justin, you were right on the money. Next time I need advice on picking a game, I'm calling you.

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While Appalachian State beating Michigan drew most of the college football headlines, another I-AA team pulled off an upset of a I-A program last weekend.

Nicholls State, coached by former Southeast assistant Jay Thomas, won at Rice 16-14.

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Yet another college football upset last weekend didn't draw much attention nationally, but people who follow the I-AA ranks certainly noticed.

Drake, a non-scholarship program, won at Illinois State, which had been ranked seventh nationally.

On a smaller scale, that was probably not much different than Appalachian State's historic upset.

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I'll try to touch on this more in the next few weeks, but some of the preseason college basketball magazines have come out, and they've got Southeast rated fairly high in the OVC.

Lindy's picked the Redhawks to finish fourth, while Athlon has them tabbed for third.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian