Holloman must sit first five games

Southeast Missouri State tailback Timmy Holloman has looked sharp in spring practice by all accounts.

But Holloman won't be able to put his skills to use until the sixth game of the 2008 season.

As had been anticipated, Holloman will miss the first five games of his senior campaign as part of his being ruled ineligible by the NCAA following the fifth game of last season. He missed the final six contests.

Although the reason for Holloman's ineligibility was never disclosed, it was assumed that Holloman would remain ineligible for one calendar year.

Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman and Southeast assistant athletic director for compliance Jayson Santos confirmed this week that Holloman does indeed fall under NCAA guidelines stipulating that he be ineligible for 365 days.

Santos said Thursday that Holloman will be eligible beginning with the Redhawks' Oct. 4 game at Jacksonville State, which is Southeast's second Ohio Valley Conference contest.

Holloman, who has been permitted to practice with the team since being ruled ineligible, rushed for 655 yards and scored six touchdowns in Southeast's first five games before being sidelined last season.

At the time, Holloman led the Ohio Valley Conference in rushing yards per game and ranked high nationally.

Holloman, a Florida native, enters his senior season with 1,996 career rushing yards, which ranks fourth in school history.

Holloman has been the Redhawks' top rusher each of his first three years in the program. He has averaged 5.3 yards per carry in his college career, including 5.7 last season.

Southeast's No. 2 returning rusher is sophomore Mike Jones, who gained 291 yards and averaged 4.9 yards per carry as a true freshman.

Another true freshman from last season, Alfred Reese, rushed for 190 yards and averaged 3.7 per attempt.

The Redhawks, who went 3-8 overall and 1-6 in the OVC last year, open the season Aug. 28 at home against Division II Southwest Baptist.

Southeast will conclude spring drills April 26 with a 1 p.m. intrasquad game at Houck Stadium.