Long on speed, short on experience

The players slated to do the bulk of the ball carrying for Southeast Missouri State this season accounted for a grand total of 60 rushing yards last year.

Then how come assistant head coach Kip Shaw, who handles the running backs, doesn't seem very concerned when discussing the position?

It's because Shaw believes the Redhawks have not had a faster group of backs -- or one filled with more potential -- since he and head coach Tim Billings came to Southeast in 2000.

"We're a lot faster than we've ever been before," Shaw said. "I like this group. I think we've got some really quality backs."

Southeast was far from a running back factory in 2004, its average of 84.3 rushing yards per game ranking last in the nine-team Ohio Valley Conference. The Redhawks averaged a paltry 3.1 yards per rushing attempt.

"We struggled with the running game last year," Southeast coach Tim Billings acknowledged. "I think we've really upgraded that position."

That despite moving leading returning rusher Jamel Oliver -- who had a solid season in 2003 after moving from receiver but struggled some last year, when he gained 342 yards and averaged 3.6 yards per attempt -- back to wide out.

Also gone from last year's backfield is David Taufoou, a hard-nosed runner who led the Redhawks as a senior with 570 yards while averaging 4.3 yards per rush.

Among the players competing in preseason practice for the feature role in Southeast's one-back offense, only junior Elton Peterson has ever carried the ball on the Division I-AA level.

And the diminutive, shifty Florida native -- generously listed at 5 feet, 6 inches and 155 pounds -- gained just 60 yards on 24 attempts last year, a 2.4-yard average.

"Elton has had a great [preseason] camp," Shaw said.

According to Shaw -- who coached Southeast's receivers last year -- Peterson is in a tight four-man battle for the starting spot, along with junior college transfers Austen Collins and John Radney, and true freshman Tim Holloman.

"Each brings something different to the table," Shaw said. "I think it's real close."

Collins has perhaps been the most impressive of the four in practices and scrimmages. Signed late out of Mesa (Ariz.) Community College, the 6-0, 195-pound junior has displayed considerable speed, quickness and natural running instincts -- all while drawing rave reviews from Southeast coaches.

"He's been real impressive," Shaw said.

Shaw said Colllins and Holloman, who is from Florida, add a speed dimension to the backfield that the Redhawks have lacked.

"Tim has also been real impressive," Shaw said. "He and Austen are the two fastest backs we've had since we've been here. We've never really had that breakaway back."

The 6-0, 180-pound Holloman has looked so good in the preseason, Billings said he is the only player among Southeast's true freshmen that almost certainly won't redshirt.

"We try to redshirt most of the freshmen, but I'm sure he'll play," Billings said.

Radney, a 5-11, 220-pound junior, is a banger who also has speed and quickness. He transferred from East Los Angeles Community College last year, but a short time before the 2004 season he was found to be ineligible and could not play.

"He's big and strong, and he can run a little bit," Shaw said.

There might have been a fifth wheel in the hunt for game action at this point, but heralded true freshman Tony Anderson from Texas -- he's the son of former NFL player Anthony Anderson -- has been battling back problems and has barely practiced. He'll probably redshirt.

"We think he'll be a real good back for the future," Shaw said.

As for the present, Shaw said several if not all of the four unproven backs will likely receive significant playing time early in the season in the hopes that one will distinguish himself.

"The biggest thing is they have to pick up the system, but they're doing a good job with it," Shaw said. "We have to play them and see who stands out. We don't have a proven back, but hopefully somebody will step up."