Redhawks defense was up for UTM challenge

~ Southeast's defense held its own against the Skyhawks' touted defense.

Somewhat lost in the shuffle of Saturday's performance by Tennessee-Martin's nationally ranked defense was the fact Southeast Missouri State's defense was impressive in its own right.

While the Skyhawks' defense lived up to its billing during a 28-14 victory at Houck Stadium, the Redhawks' defenders kept their team in the game until almost the very end.

"The defense, I thought, battled extremely well," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "I thought we played very well defensively."

Until a clinching UTM touchdown in the final two minutes -- on standout tailback Don Chapman's 81-yard run -- Southeast's defense only allowed one drive of substance by the Skyhawks, that covering 57 yards.

Otherwise, UTM had touchdowns on a kickoff return and a 26-yard drive after Southeast's offense failed to convert on a fourth-and-inches play deep in its own territory.

"We gave up the big run near the end and a couple of third-down conversions ... but it was a great effort by the defense," Samuel said.

The Redhawks' defense also made an impressive stop in the first half, after UTM had recovered a fumble inside Southeast's 20-yard line. The Skyhawks could not get into the end zone and missed a short field-goal attempt.

"That was a great stand," Samuel said.

Southeast's defense allowed 306 total yards, but that figure was well under 250 until Chapman's long run to seal the victory.

Chapman was responsible for most of the Skyhawks' offense, as the junior All-American piled up 225 yards on 36 carries and scored three touchdowns.

As a freshman in 2004, Chapman burned Southeast for 272 yards to set a school record, although Southeast won that game at Houck Stadium handily.

"He's a very good back," Samuel said.

UTM's defense held Southeast to 307 total yards, but that figure is a bit misleading because 64 yards were credited to the rushing total on a strange play late in the first half.

Southeast junior linebacker Monroe Hicks picked up his team's own blocked punt deep in Redhawks' territory and ran with it the other way, reaching UTM's 23-yard line. That set up the game's only first-half touchdown as Southeast led 7-0.

Take away Hicks' play and Southeast managed just 49 yards rushing.

Southeast sophomore tailback Tim Holloman, after piling up a career-high 212 yards the previous week against Murray State, managed just eight yards on six carries against the Skyhawks.

Besides Hicks, Southeast's leading rusher was redshirt freshman tailback Tony Anderson, who gained 27 yards on 11 carries and scored his team-leading sixth touchdown.

"We knew it would be tough to run against them," Samuel said.

Southeast senior quarterback Kevin Ballatore completed 15 of 30 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown to senior wide receiver Oge Oge, who caught five passes for 91 yards.

Ballatore was shaken up in the closing seconds of the game. He remained on the field for several minutes and appeared to be groggy when he came off, but Samuel said Ballatore practiced Sunday and should be fine.

"It looked scary, and we had to go through the proper procedure," Samuel said. "He's sore, but he's fine."

Now, after failing to upset Ohio Valley Conference-leading UTM -- ranked eighth nationally this week -- the Redhawks (4-5, 2-4 OVC) will turn their attention to another surprise conference team as they visit Tennessee State (5-4, 4-1) Saturday.

The Redhawks still have a chance for a winning season, but they'll have to sweep their remaining two games, including the Nov. 18 finale at home against Tennessee Tech.

"We really want to finish with a winning record," Oge said. "It would mean a lot to the seniors."

Noteworthy

• Senior defensive end Edgar Jones continues to lead the nation in quarterback sacks with 11. He is fourth nationally in tackles for loss with 16.5. He leads the OVC in both categories.
• Senior All-American punter David Simonhoff is second nationally with an average of 45.2 yards. Simonhoff leads the OVC.
• Junior linebacker Adam Casper, whose 13 tackles Saturday led the Redhawks, is 37th nationally with 85 tackles on the season.
• Defensive back Marvin Anderson became Southeast's third true freshman to intercept a pass this season when he turned the trick against the Skyhawks.