Injury helps steer SE quarterback rotation at ASU

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Southeast Missouri State University's musical quarterbacks continued Saturday night, but not by design.

Starter Jeromy McDowell was banged up on the first series of the third quarter at Arkansas State, and he did not play the rest of the way.

McDowell apparently got dinged after driving the Indians from their own 26-yard line to the ASU 15 on the opening series of the second half.

Southeast coaches sent in Andrew Goodenough instead of Jack Tomco, last year's record-setter. After a personal foul penalty negated a lost Goodenough fumble, the Indians moved to the 2-yard line, where they faced a fourth down. Tomco then came in, but an illegal procedure penalty set Southeast back five yards, and they had to settle for a field goal, which trimmed ASU's lead to 14-3.

Tomco went the rest of the way but also could not get Southeast into the end zone in the Indians' 21-3 loss.

"We just wanted to look at Goodenough a little bit and see what he could do in a pressure situation," Southeast coach Tim Billings said.

McDowell, after Southeast's offense got off to a slow start -- the Indians had minus-seven yards in the first quarter -- appeared to be getting into a strong rhythm when he was injured. He completed 10 of 19 passes for 126 yards and one interception.

"That's the most frustrating thing, we started to get in a groove," McDowell said. "The first quarter I was struggling, but after that things went pretty well."

All except the fact the Indians still can't get the ball in the end zone despite numerous opportunities. They have scored just 13 points in three games.

"There has to be something to it," McDowell said. "I'm confident we'll figure it out soon."

McDowell said he felt fine after the game, but the training staff wanted to rule on the cautious side.

"I just got hit, but I'm fine," he said. "I probably could have gone back in."

Tomco, who started the first two games of the season before McDowell got the nod Saturday, completed 13 of 19 passes for 69 yards and one interception.

Goodenough went one of two for five yards.

"I don't think any of them are playing real well right now," Billings said of the three quarterbacks.

Statistical leaders

Southeast's running game struggled, netting just 59 yards on 23 attempts, but the Indians' line appeared to do a much better job than last week against Southern Illinois.

"They picked it up," McDowell said.

Southeast had 200 yards passing for 259 total yards. ASU had 312 total yards, 211 through the air and 101 on the ground.

Corey Kinsey rushed for 44 yards on 16 carries while David Taufoou had 29 yards on just four attempts.

Ray Goodson led the receivers with five catches for 36 yards. Chris NesSmith caught four passes for 61 yards and Brandon Amick had four receptions for 16 yards. Kinsey and Anthony Gilliam each caught three passes.

For ASU, Elliot Jacobs completed 13 of 22 passes for 211 yards.

"I thought our defense had a great game," Billings said.

Injury report

In addition to McDowell having his bell rung, offensive lineman Dan Bieg left the game with a knee injury, and tight end Graham Goodfield went out with an ankle injury. None of the injuries are believed to be serious.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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