Freshman QB has assignment of igniting offense

Mosley makes first start tonight against EIU.

Markus Mosley really didn't have time to be nervous during his initial college football experience.

"I didn't really have a chance to think about it, which was probably good," said Southeast Missouri State's freshman quarterback, who entered the fourth quarter of a 33-17 loss at Samford on Sept. 29.

Mosley will have had more time to think about his first college start, which will come today when the winless Redhawks host Eastern Illinois at 6 p.m.

But if he's feeling any pressure, he's not showing it.

Asked prior to a mid-week practice if he was nervous, Mosley said, "No. Actually, I'm pretty confident, but I have a lot of good guys around me. I don't have to do it all by myself."

Mosley said he was as surprised as anybody last week in Birmingham, Ala., when Southeast's offense was again struggling to reach the end zone -- and he was sent in to try to help remedy the situation.

"I was prepared to play, but I was surprised when I went in the game," Mosley said.

Originally expected to redshirt during his first year at Southeast, Mosley was elevated to backup status when junior Kevin Ballatore broke his left foot while making his first start against Jacksonville State on Sept. 24.

Still, Mosley figured that senior Mike Haley -- who started the season's first three games and also started at Samford -- would play the entire way against the Bulldogs.

But, with Southeast having scored just one touchdown and trailing 26-17 early in the fourth quarter, Mosley was sent in to replace Haley.

Mosley completed six of 10 passes for 94 yards, with two interceptions. Twice he drove the Redhawks inside Samford's 20-yard line, but one drive ended in an interception and the other in a missed field goal.

"I was impressed with the way he handled everything," Southeast coach Tim Billings said. "He wasn't nervous. He moved us down on a couple of good drives. The team seemed to respond to him."

And Billings responded by saying after the game that Mosley would start against Eastern Illinois -- which also surprised the rookie.

"I was very surprised," he said. "I kind of heard about it after the game, then I heard for sure Sunday."

Mosley, a 6-foot-4, 185-pounder from Tyler, Texas, will try to ignite a Southeast offense that has moved the ball fairly well but has scored just seven touchdowns all season.

Billings believes Mosley, who is mobile and has a solid arm, is the right person to help do that, at least until Ballatore returns from his injury, which might not be for another several weeks.

"Right now I think he's the guy to lead us, until Kevin gets back," Billings said.

Asked what the plan of action might be if Mosley struggles, Billings said, "I don't know, but I can't imagine us struggling any more than we are now."

Mosley, who said Haley and Ballatore have both gone out of their way to help him prepare, believes today is when the Redhawks' offense finally starts to make some noise.

"We've had some really good practices, and I feel like this week we'll click and be OK," he said.

Mosley reiterated that he doesn't think he'll be overly nervous -- thanks in large part to his laid-back personality.

"I'm very laid back," he said, laughing. "I hope that helps me, but I won't know until the game."