Redhawks capitalize on new punt formation

Southeast Missouri State's new punt formation may look like something out of Steve Spurrier's offensive playbook, but it was effective in helping Doug Spada launch some monster punts with very little return yardage.

Spada averaged 47.6 yards per punt on his seven kicks Saturday night in a 31-16 loss to Eastern Illinois.

The Panthers had just 7 yards total on their four returns.

Southeast's new formation, which coach Tony Samuel said is gaining popularity around the country, had an unbalanced line with three gunners split wide on the right side, three players in the backfield protecting Spada's right side and the remaining four players on the left side of the line.

"We've been working on it all year long," Spada said. "We just decided to mix it up a little bit this week.

"I can hold the ball longer and that gives our coverage an opportunity to get down there faster."

The Redhawks also delivered some big licks on Eastern Illinois' return men as well. After Spada's 57-yard punt late in the first quarter, Alicus Nozinor was taken down for a 2-yard loss and shaken up on the play.

Spada's 44-yard punt in the second period was muffed by C.J. James and recovered by Southeast's Nathan Grass at the EIU 12-yard line. James also was shaken up on the play, which led to a Spada field goal that gave Southeast a 10-7 lead.

Southeast had a number of punts blocked each season in the last two years with All-American punter David Simonhoff. This year's lone block was a pooch punt attempt by quarterback Victor Anderson.

"We have the perfect personnel and the formation to keep the other team from getting pressure and that definitely helps," Spada said.

Now the Redhawks just have to work on getting him fewer punting opportunities and more point-after kicks.

He hit field goals of 27, 26 and 38 yards Saturday to give him nine field goals in 10 attempts this season.