Redhawks generating buzz in Cape area with recent wins

Southeast Missouri State University's strong start to its football season has created buzz and excitement in Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area.

"Oh my goodness, I go around town, people are talking about Southeast football," Southeast director of athletics John Shafer said. "People are excited. I walk down halls, faculty and staff, the students, they're all excited."

That only figures to increase now that Southeast has broken into the national rankings for the first time in more than seven years. Southeast is No. 25 in The Sports Network media poll released Monday. In the other recognized Division I-AA poll, voted on by a panel of coaches, the Redhawks received the second most votes among teams outside the top 25 to unofficially come in at No. 27.

"It's great recognition for the university," Shafer said. "I'm so excited for the kids and the coaches."

Brian Roth, a 2000 Southeast graduate, said he has been a huge fan of all the university's sports programs since he started attending Southeast in the 1990s.

What the Redhawks are doing so far this season has Roth pumped up even though he now lives in Kansas City. He attended Southeast's only home game so far and plans to make it to several more this year.

"I talk to a lot of people in Cape and they're really excited," Roth said. "People in Southeast Missouri have been starved for a winner in football for a number of years.

"Any chance you get to be ranked in the top 25 in the nation, it's impressive."

Southeast Booster Club president Mike "Sandog" McKinnis said increased attendance at football games will have a positive economic effect as local hotels and restaurants fill up with fans.

"It's a big shot in the arm for the boosters and the community," McKinnis said of the team's new ranking.

McKinnis said he's expecting about 10,000 people to fill Houck Stadium on Saturday when Southeast plays its second home game of the season against Tennessee State.

"I'm getting calls from people wanting tickets, and people who gave up their season tickets in the past are calling and wanting to renew them," he said.

The Redhawks' resurgence has given retailers of team apparel a boost.

"During parents weekend we did a ton of business," said Brink Naile of Howards Athletic Goods at 835 Broadway. "There is a lot more buzz around the team this year than in past years."

T-shirts, sweat shirts, jackets and caps are flying off shelves at the Southeast Bookstore as well.

"We've always said when you're losing, you're not selling," said Laurie Taylor, assistant manager of the Southeast Bookstore.

She said sales spiked during this year's family weekend compared to previous years. The Southeast Bookstore sets up Redhawks merchandise stands at home football games, and Taylor expects those sales to be strong this season.

Southeast coach Tony Samuel said the ranking is a positive for the Redhawks.

"It's really good for the program. You have to feel good about it," Samuel said. "It's always nice to have your name out there, but we have a lot of the season to go."

Southeast, 4-1 overall, is 3-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference for the first time since joining the league in 1991.

The Redhawks, who lead the OVC, are riding a four-game winning streak for the first time since 1994. They also have won three straight road games for the first time since 1994.

The last time a Southeast football team was ranked in the top 25 was early during the 2003 season.

Southeast was coming off an 8-4 record in 2002 -- the program's best since 1969 -- and began 2003 ranked 20th and 21st in the two major polls. The then-Indians dropped to 21st and 22nd after an opening loss and exited the rankings after a week two defeat.

The Redhawks began receiving votes in the polls this year after a 24-21 win at Southern Illinois on Sept. 18 that rates among the biggest victories in school history. SIU was ranked No. 5 nationally at the time.

Southeast continued to climb among squads receiving votes and finally made the top 25 following Saturday's 28-13 victory at defending OVC champion Eastern Illinois. Southeast had never won at Eastern Illinois since joining the OVC.

"It's kind of cool to see. It's exciting to be in any type of rankings," junior quarterback Matt Scheible said. "I don't live on campus anymore, but I've had people who live on campus tell me there's definitely a buzz at Towers [dorm]."

Southeast football has struggled since moving up to Division I-AA in 1991, posting just two winning records -- in 1994 and 2002 -- while not winning more than four games in a season since going 5-7 in 2003.

Samuel entered his fifth season at Southeast with a 13-32 overall record, including a 6-25 OVC mark. The Redhawks had not won more than four games overall or more than two OVC contests since Samuel took over.

The 2009 Redhawks went 2-9 overall and a last-place 1-7 in the OVC. They failed to pull out a win in numerous close games.

Southeast has reversed that trend this season, which Samuel credits largely to experience. The Redhawks routinely start 15 or 16 seniors. Samuel also points to the offseason commitment from his players.

"We've got a lot of veterans. That's important," Samuel said. "And we had a good group stick around and train [over the summer]. I think that's important."

Statistically, Southeast has made improvements in virtually every area after ranking toward the bottom last year in most of the OVC's team categories. Now the Redhawks are toward, if not at, the top of virtually every statistical category.

"I'm so happy for the coaches and the players because nothing's different, nothing has changed," Shafer said. "They've worked just as hard. The coaches and players are committed.

"We've got a lot of seniors, a lot of experience. We were in a lot of games last year, we just couldn't close it. A lot of things have just fallen into place."

Samuel is quick to point out that the success to date doesn't guarantee success for the rest of the season. The same goes for the national rankings.

"It's always good to have your name out there so you get the exposure," Samuel said. "But as time goes on, if you're still ranked and do the things you're supposed to be doing, it becomes more important."

Staff writer Melissa Miller contributed to this report.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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