Redhawks football team hopes slow starts are a thing of the past

The Southeast Missouri State football team has struggled in quite a few areas so far this year, not the least of which revolves around slow starts.

Southeast has trailed by at least nine points in the first half of every game and has faced double-figure halftime deficits in three contests.

The Redhawks, who have not held a lead all season, have been outscored 88-20 in the first half this year but only 41-26 in the second half. They actually have a 19-13 third-quarter advantage.

Senior safety Ben Kargbo emphasized those first-half struggles following Saturday's 17-7 loss to Tennessee-Martin in the Redhawks' home and Ohio Valley Conference opener.

Southeast trailed 14-0 early in the second quarter and 17-0 at halftime. A much better second half couldn't prevent the Redhawks from falling to 0-4 for the first time since 2005.

"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 coach Tony Samuel, speaking at his weekly media conference Monday, said slow starts are something the Redhawks are trying to get a handle on.

"I don't know if it's excitement or what," Samuel said. "A lot of the issues are early mental mistakes. Early phases are killing us right now."

The Redhawks used two quarterbacks for the second time in four games Saturday.

Junior Kyle Snyder made his third start. After performing well while going all the way during a loss to SIU on Sept. 21, sophomore Scott Lathrop was more effective Saturday.

Southeast had 131 of its second-half yards during two fourth-quarter drives directed by Lathrop, last year's starter who has made one start this year.

Lathrop, who led the Redhawks to their only touchdown, played four series, including the final three after Snyder went most of the second half and third quarter.

Lathrop completed 8 of 16 passes for 71 yards. He was also Southeast's top rusher with 64 yards on 10 carries, including key scrambles of 30 and 24 yards in the final period.

Snyder completed 6 of 13 for 71 yards.

"Both guys did some good things. Both guys did some bad things," Samuel said.

Samuel indicated that the Redhawks will continue to use both quarterbacks, although he did not commit to a starter.

"We'll see how that all goes [this week in practice]," Samuel said.

Meanwhile, Southeast will attempt to redshirt sophomore quarterback Blake Jackson, who displayed potential in limited action as a true freshman last season.

Jackson is the only one among Southeast's top three signal callers who has not yet used a redshirt year. He has not seen any action this season and, as long as he doesn't get into a game, he will be able to redshirt.

Samuel said being able to redshirt Jackson hinges on Snyder and Lathrop remaining healthy.

"That would be the hope, to be able to do that," Samuel said.

While people inside and outside the program are naturally disappointed with Southeast's winless start, Samuel said he still believes in his young and inexperienced squad.

Samuel emphasized that the bulk of the season is still ahead for the Redhawks and that he thinks they are not far off from breaking through.

"The worst thing we can do is panic," said Samuel, whose team has eight games remaining, including seven OVC contests. "I still love this bunch."

Southeast is back in action Saturday, facing Tennessee State (4-1, 1-0) in a 6 p.m. kickoff in Nashville, Tenn.

TSU's only conference game to date was a 41-21 romp at Tennessee Tech.