Holloman returns to Southeast backfield

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. -- Timmy Holloman was happy to be back on the field Saturday night.

Even if he couldn't do much about Southeast Missouri State's 38-17 loss to host Jacksonville State.

Holloman, a senior tailback, returned from his one-year NCAA suspension for undisclosed reasons.

Holloman, forced to miss the final six games of last season and the first five games of this year, rushed for 44 yards on 16 carries against the preseason Ohio Valley Conference favorite Gamecocks.

"It felt good to be back out there," said Holloman, whose longest run went for 15 yards. "But I was looking forward to a win more than getting on the field."

Holloman actually produced more yards Saturday than he had in his previous two games against JSU's traditionally stout defense.

Holloman, who did not play against the Gamecocks last year due to his suspension, gained 17 yards on 10 carries against them in 2006 and three yards on one attempt against them in 2005.

"It's a tough game for him to come in on," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "He did OK. I thought he got better as the game went along."

The passing game produced Holloman's biggest play Saturday, a 16-yard reception on a screen pass from senior quarterback Houston Lillard. Holloman caught two passes for 22 yards.

"It's nice having Timmy back," Lillard said. "He can add a whole lot to the offense."

Despite his modest yardage total on the ground Saturday, Holloman moved past the 2,000-yard mark for his college career.

Holloman, the fourth-leading rusher in Southeast history, now has 2,040 yards. He has been the Redhawks' top rusher each of the past three seasons.

Statistically speaking

Lillard completed 18 of 37 passes for 212 yards.

True freshman quarterback Matt Scheible, playing the final two series, completed 3 of 4 for 99 yards.

Scheible threw his first collegiate touchdown pass, a 49-yarder to Walter Peoples that completed the scoring in the closing minutes.

"Scheible came in and did a good job," said senior wide receiver Mike Williamson, who scored Southeast's other touchdown on a 5-yard pass from Lillard.

Peoples, a junior, caught six passes for 110 yards. He has a team-high 35 receptions.

Junior cornerback Eddie Calvin led Southeast in tackles with nine, followed by senior linebacker Nick Stauffer with seven.

Calvin, second in the OVC in interceptions, picked off his fourth pass of the season.

Junior linebacker Marvin Anderson recovered a fumble.

Senior end Ben Gugler, senior tackle Nick Ketelsleger and senior tackle Ryan Taloa each had a quarterback sack.

Gugler, who entered play tied for first in the OVC in sacks, now has four on the season.

OVC's top runner out

JSU senior tailback Daniel Jackson, who entered the weekend as the OVC's leading rusher, did not play Saturday because of an injury.

Jackson is averaging 80.8 yards per game. He has 323 yards and is averaging 6.9 yards per carry.

Sophomore tailback Tremayne Coger, JSU's second-leading rusher, was injured early in the contest and did not return.

No problem for the Gamecocks as redshirt freshman Brandon George piled up 114 yards on 11 carries, including a 59-yard touchdown run that opened the game's scoring in the first quarter.

The speedy George entered the night with 13 yards on three attempts this year.

Noteworthy

• Southeast, which trailed 7-0 after the first quarter, still has not scored a point in the opening period this season. The Redhawks have been outscored 66-0 in that frame and 132-30 in the first half.
• Junior wide receiver Brad Stewart, tied for second on the Redhawks in receptions with 20 before Saturday, suffered an apparent knee injury early in the second quarter and did not return.
• Southeast now has an open date before playing at perennial OVC power Eastern Illinois on Oct. 18.