Redhawks rally for 31 points in the second half

~ Southwest Baptist took a lead on its first drive after halftime.

The final score says that Southeast Missouri State had a relatively easy time in its home opener Saturday night.

But don't be fooled by the Redhawks' 38-17 victory over Division II Southwest Baptist University.

The heavy underdog Bearcats gave Southeast plenty of trouble, holding a third-quarter lead and trailing by just six points with under 10 minutes left.

Southeast then took control by scoring two touchdowns in a span of less than two minutes to turn back the Bearcats.

Southeast quarterback Victor Anderson passed during Saturday's game against Southwest Baptist University.

An announced crowd of 6,580 at Houck Stadium saw Southeast (1-1) even its record and keep SBU (0-2) winless.

"It was a sloppy win, but it's a win," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said.

A week after Southeast was manhandled by Division I-A Cincinnati 59-3, many people expected the Redhawks to do much the same to SBU, which went 1-10 last year.

The Bearcats, however, had other ideas -- which really didn't surprise Southeast senior offensive lineman Francisco Perez.

"They're a good team. We knew they weren't going to lay down," Perez said. "But we'll take a win any time."

Tied 7-7 after a lethargic first half, and trailing 14-7 after SBU scored on the opening possession of the third quarter, the Redhawks finally gained control through a series of big plays on offense and defense as they appeared to wear down the Bearcats.

"Once we figured out their blitzes ... they never showed that stuff [on film]," Samuel said. "We didn't play very well at all in the first half. We came on [in the second half]."

Southeast was held to 125 yards on offense in the opening half, but finished with 348 yards, including 223 yards rushing over the final two periods.

Much of that total came from the legs of junior tailback Timmy Holloman, who gained 177 of his 203 yards in the second half, when he scored on touchdown runs of 20, 66 and 31 yards.

"I think our offense and defense, we wore them down [in the second half]," Perez said. "They were definitely tired."

Huge defensive plays were turned in by young cornerbacks Chris Nelson and Eddie Calvin.

Nelson, a redshirt freshman, had his first two collegiate interceptions on consecutive SBU possessions late in the third quarter.

Nelson's second pick, off a pass that was tipped by senior linebacker Adam Casper, set up the Redhawks deep in SBU territory and led to sophomore Doug Spada's 49-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter, putting Southeast up 23-14.

With SBU featuring a no-huddle, spread offense that often utilized four wide receivers, Nelson played much of the contest as an extra defensive back.

"They had a nice offense and they came out to play," said Nelson after seeing the Bearcats attempt 48 passes and throw for 250 yards. "The defense had to come through."

Calvin basically sealed the victory, after Holloman's third touchdown -- a 31-yarder with 9:58 remaining -- put Southeast ahead 30-17.

SBU was still in the hunt and the Bearcats drove deep into Southeast territory on its ensuing possession.

But Calvin, a sophomore who saw extensive action last year as a true freshman, stepped in front of a Steve Gachette pass near the goal line.

Several impressive moves later, the speedy Calvin reached the opposite end zone courtesy for a 100-yard interception return that came at the 8:46 mark. A two-point conversion finished off the night's scoring.

"I think we kind of underestimated them a bit," Calvin said. "But in the second half, we knew we had to play."

Said Samuel: "[Calvin] made a great play. [Nelson] made two big plays."

Holloman, whose 66-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter broke a 14-14 tie and gave Southeast the lead for good, agreed with Calvin that the Redhawks might have underestimated SBU.

But like all the Redhawks, he was pleased to see Southeast come away with its first win of the season.

"We knew they wouldn't lay down," Holloman said. "But I was just thinking we can't lose, and we didn't."