Goodson provides highlight at scrimmage

The junior college transfer turned a reception into a 60-yard touchdown Saturday.

Samora Goodson was recruited from junior college to add some big-play potential to Southeast Missouri State's wide receiver position.

If Saturday's scrimmage at Houck Stadium is any indication, he should do just that.

Goodson, who has drawn rave reviews from Southeast coaches so far in practice, turned a short pass over the middle into a scintillating 60-yard touchdown to account for one of Saturday's highlights.

"We have a lot of big-time receivers, and I think they brought me here mostly to stretch the field," Goodson said. "Speed has always been my game. I come from a track family."

Early in the scrimmage that lasted about two hours, Goodson caught the pass from quarterback Mike Haley, juked several defenders, cut toward the left sideline and was off to the races.

"I think I can bring a lot of excitement to the team," said Goodson, a Californian who played last season at Citrus Junior College in his home state.

Goodson, a long and lean junior at 6-feet-4 and 205 pounds, has been given the nickname "Little Randy" by his Southeast teammates. That's because of his physical resemblance to NFL star Randy Moss -- and he's got the wild hair to match.

"I guess because of my body frame and my hair," said a laughing Goodson. "If I have to be compared to somebody, he's a good player to be compared to."

Southeast returns three wide receivers who caught at least 30 passes last season in Brian Matthews, Oge Oge and T.J. Milcic, along with the shifty Antonio Scaife. But the Redhawks did not have an abundance of big plays in the passing game a year ago, which is not good for a team that throws as much as they do.

In an attempt to correct that, Southeast moved tailback Jamel Oliver back to receiver, which he played two years ago, and the Redhawks brought in Goodson and another potentially dangerous wide out from the California juco ranks in Brandon Simpson.

"We've got a lot more weapons this year," Southeast coach Tim Billings said. "Little Randy is an exciting player who should help us, and so should some other guys."

Another newcomer with big-play potential who Southeast coaches have been raving about also was impressive Saturday. Tailback Austen Collins, from Mesa (Ariz.) Community College, turned in several nifty runs, including an impressive 10-yarder for a touchdown.

Haley also completed a pair of touchdown passes to Milcic in short-yardage situations, while big tight end Joseph Tuineau displayed his athleticism on a 25-yard touchdown reception. Kicker Colin Schermann from Central High School booted a 47-yard field goal.

"We've just got more skill and speed this year," Billings said. "But our offense is still pretty ragged right now. It just takes a little longer."

Billings thought the defense held up well Saturday and is looking for major improvement from that unit, which displayed an impressive newcomer of its own in end Kyle Hunt (Mesa Community College), who seemed to pressure the quarterbacks the entire scrimmage.

"I'm excited about where we're at defensively," Billings said. "We've got more depth, which is a big positive."