Penalties helped sack Redhawks against UTM

~ Southeast had more penalty yards than in its three previous games combined

Several things contributed to Southeast Missouri State's failed bid at an upset Saturday night.

Penalties ranked high on the list as the Redhawks were flagged 14 times for 170 yards during a 29-22 loss at Tennessee-Martin.

The last time Southeast had more than 100 yards in penalties was in the second game of the 2007 season, against Southwest Baptist.

"You never want that many penalties," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said Monday during his weekly media conference. "We were really surprised by the amount.

"You'd like to maybe hold the thing to half."

UTM also had its share of penalties in the hard-hitting game as the Skyhawks were whistled 12 times for 121 yards.

Several of the penalties in the contest were for personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct, including one when Southeast was flagged for excessive celebration following a touchdown.

A key penalty against the Redhawks took place early in the fourth quarter with Southeast trailing 21-15.

Junior linebacker Justin Woodlief charged in to sack quarterback Cade Thompson. The loss of 10 yards would have set UTM back to the Southeast 49, where it would have faced third down and 18. But Woodlief was called for illegal contact to the helmet, a point of emphasis with officials this year.

Samuel said that, after reviewing game film, it appeared that Woodlief actually made contact with Thompson around the shoulder area. But Samuel refused to blame the official who made the call, saying that considering the speed which Woodlief made contact with Thompson, it would be easy to think the blow was to the helmet.

"You never want to argue safety," Samuel said. "I could see where the referee would call it."

The 15-yard penalty gave UTM a first down at Southeast's 24. The Skyhawks did not score on the drive as senior cornerback Eddie Calvin intercepted a pass in the end zone, but UTM was able to take time off the clock that Southeast could have used.

In their first three games, the Redhawks were flagged 19 times for 169 yards. They surpassed that yardage total Saturday.

"It hadn't been a real issue," Samuel said of penalties.

Southeast will look to clean up its act Saturday when the Redhawks face Tennessee State at LP Field -- home of the NFL's Titans -- in Nashville, Tenn.

The Redhawks, who have lost three straight games, are 1-3 overall and a last-place 0-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference. TSU, also 1-3, will be playing its OVC opener.

TSU had a solid 2008 season, going 8-4 overall and 5-3 in the OVC. One of the Tigers' losses was to Southeast, which upset then-19th-ranked TSU 27-20 in overtime in Cape Girardeau.

Samuel said the Tigers -- last in the OVC in scoring at 12.5 points per game -- have a misleading record because they have played several strong squads.

"They're very talented," Samuel said.

Southeast leads the all-time series with TSU 9-8, but the Redhawks are 0-4 at LP Field since the Tigers began using the facility in 1999. Southeast's last trip to Nashville, in 2006, resulted in a 31-0 loss.

Blanfort earns honor

Southeast junior free safety Bryan Blanfort has been named the OVC defensive player of the week.

Blanfort notched a career-high 14 tackles, forced a fumble and had a pass breakup Saturday.

"He made some real good plays," Samuel said. "He came up and hit well, broke on the ball well. That's the type of play you want out of your free safety."

Blanfort is Southeast's second-leading tackler on the season with 28. Woodlief leads with 32.

Edwards moves up

Junior wide receiver Miles Edwards is tied for ninth in career touchdown receptions at Southeast with 11.

Edwards moved into that spot with a 15-yard TD catch Saturday on the game's opening drive. Edwards made a diving grab in the back of the end zone on a pass from sophomore quarterback Matt Scheible.

"That was a great throw and catch," Samuel said.