Redhawks remain optimistic after loss

~ Southeast turns attention to UT-Martin after dropping OVC opener to Eastern Illinois.

Southeast Missouri State football coach Tony Samuel said nothing he saw during Saturday's Ohio Valley Conference opener has changed his thinking regarding the type of team the Redhawks have.

Samuel entered the year believing Southeast was a solid squad capable of putting together a strong season.

Despite Saturday's 23-14 home loss to Eastern Illinois in which the Redhawks allowed 523 yards, Samuel still feels that way.

Speaking during his weekly media conference Monday, Samuel referred to Southeast's next opponent -- Tennessee-Martin -- as "a good football team, no question about it."

But, Samuel added, "We're good, too."

Eastern Illinois certainly falls into the category of a good team as the Panthers (3-0) moved into the Division I-AA top 25 Monday. They are ranked 24th by the Sports Network.

Southeast (1-2) led 14-7 at halftime before the Panthers took control in the second half. They dominated the third quarter as Southeast ran just 10 offensive plays, including one that resulted in a safety.

"First of all, that was a very good football team," Samuel said. "We won the first half. They won the second half, in particular the third quarter."

The Redhawks stayed in the game thanks largely to recovering four EIU fumbles inside Southeast's 25-yard line, including two at the 1-yard line.

But Samuel pointed to two plays that swung things in the Panthers' favor and likely cost Southeast a shot at an upset.

The first play was a 65-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter that tied the contest 14-14. Samuel said the Redhawks were blitzing as Mon Williams went untouched to the end zone.

Just 15 seconds later, Southeast suffered a safety as sophomore quarterback Matt Scheible was called for intentional grounding in the end zone after he tracked down a fumbled pitch. Those two points put the Panthers ahead for good.

"We didn't execute on two plays that tipped the game," Samuel said. "We just needed to eliminate the big plays.

"You take away those two plays in the second half, which you can't ... we would have had a good opportunity to win the game."

While EIU lost one fumble on a poor quarterback-center exchange, Southeast's defense helped cause the other three.

"One was on a big hit, two on strips," Samuel said.

Samuel said he liked the way Scheible performed in helping account for 246 of Southeast's 381 total yards.

Scheible completed 17 of 35 passes for 171 yards. He was Southeast's leading rusher with 75 yards on 15 carries.

Samuel said Scheible's passing numbers could have been better as several on-target throws were dropped.

"He played extremely well," Samuel said. "He's just going to keep getting better."

Scheible and the rest of the offense wasn't on the field enough in the second half as EIU dominated time of possession and limited Southeast to just 103 yards.

Still, Samuel isn't discouraged. His players also didn't seem to be following the loss.

"I still think there are good things ahead," junior linebacker Tyler Epstein said.

The Redhawks hope something good happens for them this Saturday when they visit Tennessee-Martin (1-2), which will be playing its conference opener.

UTM went 8-4 last year and tied for second in the OVC at 6-2. The Skyhawks were picked second in this year's preseason poll.

"I expect a very competitive game," Samuel said.

Woodlief leads tacklers

Junior middle linebacker Justin Woodlief is Southeast's leading tackler through three games with 22 stops. He also has a team-high two pass breakups.

Woodlief made his first Southeast start Saturday and posted 10 tackles, which tied him for team-high honors with sophomore linebacker Philip Klaproth.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Woodlief spent last season at Division I-A San Jose State, where he redshirted as a walk-on before transferring to Southeast.

"He's been doing a good job," Samuel said. "He's a big kid that can really run."

Farmer's first catch

Senior tight end Ashton Farmer made his first collegiate catch Saturday, an 8-yarder in the opening quarter. It was his only reception of the night.

Farmer, a Charleston native, transferred to Southeast last year after playing basketball the previous two seasons at Arkansas State.

The 6-7, 250-pound Farmer primarily played on special teams during his first season of college football in 2008.

"It was good to get him involved," Samuel said. "He's a big target. He has some athleticism. He's a guy we can use."