Offensive squad knocks off defense to erase memory of last spring's thumping

~ Dueling quarterbacks finish scrimmage with identical stats.

Southeast Missouri State's offense was efficient if not explosive.

That was enough to lead the unit to victory Saturday afternoon in Southeast's spring intrasquad game.

The offense beat the defense 22-18 in front of about 250 fans at Houck Stadium as the Redhawks concluded spring drills.

Last year, using a similar scoring system, the offense was hammered 60-24, thanks largely to four interceptions and a defensive touchdown that accounted for 30 points by the defense.

Tim Holloman ran through a hole during the spring scrimmage Saturday at Houck Stadium. (Kit Doyle)

This time around, Southeast's offense had no turnovers, which went a long way toward allowing that side of the football to gain a measure of revenge.

"The execution was good for this type of scrimmage," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said.

Junior quarterback Houston Lillard, who missed all of last season with a knee injury after transferring from junior college, said the offense wanted to make amends for last year's spring game showing.

"It's always important to win. We have to let the defense know it's not the same as last year," Lillard said. "The main focus was to not turn the ball over, and to avoid penalties."

Offensively, points were available Saturday for touchdowns (6), field goals (3), kicked extra points (1), two-point conversions (2), plays of 25 yards or more (1) and three consecutive first downs (1).

Southeast kicker Colin Schermann kicked an extra point during Saturday's scrimmage.

The defense was able to score through touchdowns (6), interceptions (6), fumble recoveries (6), sacks (2), missed field goals (3), made field goals (1) and a three downs and out series (1).

"It was a lot better for the offense this year," said junior tailback Tim Holloman, the Redhawks' leading rusher the past two seasons. "Having no turnovers is always a good thing."

The bulk of the offense's points came on two touchdowns and a 44-yard field goal by junior Colin Schermann from Central High School, who nailed his only attempt. He also kicked two extra points.

Touchdowns were scored by walk-on redshirt freshman tailback Sterling Hardin on a 20-yard run and by freshman wide receiver Miles Edwards on a 30-yard pass from walk-on redshirt freshman quarterback Steve Callanan.

Callanan's strike to Edwards midway through the third quarter put the offense ahead for good, after the defense led 13-12 at halftime.

Redhawks running back Sterling Hardin scored the first offensive touchdown during Saturday's scrimmage.

Southeast's two quarterbacks who are considered the front-runners for the position had identical passing statistics.

Lillard and junior college transfer Victor Anderson each completed 9 of 16 attempts for 71 yards, with a long of 24 yards.

Anderson played the entire first quarter, Lillard played the entire second quarter and they split time in the final period. Callanan played the entire third quarter, completing 1 of 2 passes.

"All three quarterbacks have a good command of the offense," said Samuel, who will welcome in three more signal callers for fall drills.

Edwards led Southeast receivers with five catches for 55 yards and the touchdown.

Junior college transfer Vincent Anderson, Victor Anderson's twin brother, had five receptions for 48 yards.

"Both those guys should help us," Samuel said. "You can see his [Edwards[']] potential. He has a nice pair of hands. He just has to get stronger."

Holloman rushed for 65 yards on 20 carries, while Hardin added 37 yards on six attempts, including the TD. They are Southeast's only true tailbacks this spring, with several more coming in for fall workouts.

"He [Hardin] does a good job," Samuel said.

Most of the defense's points came by way of seven sacks, although no actual hitting was allowed on the quarterbacks so it was hard to tell if they would have been able to avoid the pressure on many of those plays.

Sophomore linebacker Joshua Jackson was credited with a game-high eight tackles, followed by junior linebacker Adam Schwent, sophomore linebacker Jared Goodson and senior defensive back Joe Grant with seven tackles apiece.

"We're very disappointed to lose," junior defensive tackle Brandon McCrary said. "But it was a good game. The offense looked good."

Samuel said the Redhawks remain a work in progress after they lost 25 seniors -- who filled most of the starting positions and represented many of the squad's top players -- from his first Southeast team that went 4-7, including 2-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Samuel believes the Redhawks made plenty of progress this spring and he's looking forward to having 19 additional recruits in for the fall.

"We're light years ahead of where we were last year at this time, but all the pieces aren't in place," he said. "We don't have enough depth at certain positions right now, but when the others come in, we'll see what we've got."

Southeast opens the 2007 season Aug. 30 at Division I-A Cincinnati.

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Go to semoball.com for box score, video highlights and Tony Samuel's postgame comments.