Loss to UT-Martin drops Southeast to 0-4

Considering how dominant Tennessee-Martin was during the first half Saturday night, Southeast Missouri State probably felt fortunate to 'only' be down 17-0 at the intermission.

And the Redhawks, outgained in total yardage 270 to 92 over the opening two periods, managed to make a game of things after the Skyhawks failed to capitalize on numerous chances to open up an insurmountable lead.

But the Redhawks could only muster one late touchdown as they suffered a 17-7 loss in their homer opener and the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both squads.

"I felt good that the game wasn't out of reach, but I didn't feel good because I felt we gave up a couple of touchdowns we shouldn't have," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said of the first half.

An announced Houck Stadium crowd of 8,074 on Family Weekend saw Southeast fall to 0-4 for the first time under Samuel, in his eighth season. It's the program's worst start since the 2005 team started 0-7 during Tim Billings' final year as coach.

Southeast Missouri State University wide receiver D.J. Foster is dragged down by University of Tennessee-Martin’s J’Vontez Blackmon, left, and Jordan Landry after making a catch for a first down during the Redhawks’ 17-7 loss to the Skyhawks on Saturday at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Adam Vogler)

"They fought hard. We had our opportunities," Samuel said.

UTM, which is ranked 23rd nationally, had to sweat the victory out a little more than it appeared the Skyhawks would for much of the game.

But coach Jason Simpson didn't seem to mind after the Skyhawks improved to 3-1 overall by beating Southeast for the eighth time in the past nine meetings.

"We've never really come here and played really well," Simpson said. "We did a good job in the first half. Give them [Southeast] credit. They made some adjustments."

Southeast Missouri State University quarterback Kyle Snyder tries to get around the University of Tennessee-Martin defense during the Redhawks' 17-7 loss to the Skyhawks Saturday, Sept. 28, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Adam Vogler)

The Redhawks, who did next to nothing offensively for about the first 2 1/2 quarters, finally put together their first drive of substance. It began at their 11-yard line midway through the third period and reached the UTM 19 but ended on downs.

Southeast was almost immediately handed another opportunity when UTM fumbled on the ensuing possession. True freshman defensive lineman John Popovich recovered at the Skyhawks' 33 with 3:09 left in the third period.

But a holding penalty and then a botched pitch set the Redhawks back. They had to settle for a 48-yard field-goal attempt by true freshman Alex Knight that was well short into the wind.

With Southeast's defense continuing to hold UTM at bay, the Redhawks put together just their second substantial drive -- this one directed by sophomore quarterback Scott Lathrop, who played four series while junior starter Kyle Snyder went most of the first half and third quarter.

Lathrop led Southeast to its lone touchdown, an 80-yard drive that featured his 24-yard scramble on third-and-4 that carried to the UTM 6-yard line.

Junior fullback Ron Coleman scored on a 2-yard run with 6:17 left in the game to make it 17-7.

"I've got faith in my team," Lathrop said. "We scored and the game was in reach."

After a UTM three-and-out, Lathrop led another impressive drive from Southeast's 15-yard line, his 30-yard scramble on another third-and-4 being the key play. But the possession ended on downs at the Skyhawks' 29-yard line.

"It sure could have been," Lathrop said when asked if things might have gotten very interesting had the Redhawks scored there.

Southeast got the ball back one more time, but with only 1:15 remaining and deep in its territory, as the Skyhawks held on.

"The defense played their tails off. We have to score more points," Lathrop said.

Not much went right for Southeast during the first half that belonged totally to UTM. The Redhawks crossed midfield just once, reaching the Skyhawks' 47-yard line, and punted on all five of their possessions.

UTM scored on the game's opening possession, needing just 2:19 to march 78 yards in six plays.

Junior college transfer Dylan Favre, the nephew of future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, hit Corey Jordan with a 35-yard touchdown pass for a quick 7-0 lead.

The Skyhawks drove 87 yards on their third possession, scoring when Najee Ray went over from 9 yards out just 22 seconds into the second quarter.

A 11-yard field goal with 2:48 remaining in the opening half made it 17-0.

"I wouldn't say fortunate," Southeast senior safety Ben Kargbo said of the Redhawks' mind-set at the break. "We gave up two easy touchdowns we shouldn't have given up."

The Redhawks outgained the Skyhawks 214-86 in the second half and wound up being outgained in total yardage only 356-306.

But it was too little, too late for the Redhawks, who still have not led all season.

"The way the offense and defense came out in the second half, we were a whole different team," Kargbo said. "It seems like we gave a stronger effort in the second half. As a team, that's [the slow starts] something we have to talk about."

Southeast returns to action Saturday with a 6 p.m. kickoff against OVC opponent Tennessee State in Nashville, Tenn.