Redhawks routed at homecoming

~ Southeast trailed EKU 24-0 at halftime before eventually losing 31-7

Southeast Missouri State's football matchup against Eastern Kentucky Saturday afternoon was televised live by ESPN3, which is available online.

The Redhawks probably hope not many people watched the broadcast of the Ohio Valley Conference's game of the week.

Southeast had a homecoming it would just as soon forget, falling behind 24-0 by halftime and suffering a 31-7 defeat as the Colonels continued their dominance of the Redhawks.

"We didn't envision this," sophomore tailback DeMichael Jackson said. "But we've got to learn from it. We can't pout about it."

Southeast running back DeMichael Jackson cuts through a hole in the Eastern Kentucky defense for a first down during the first quarter of the Redhawks’ 31-7 homecoming loss to the Colonels Saturday at Houck Stadium. (Adam Vogler)

An announced crowd of 5,171 on a windy day at Houck Stadium saw the Redhawks, kicking off a three-game homestand, fall to 1-7 overall and 1-4 in OVC play.

EKU (5-3, 3-1 OVC) beat Southeast for the ninth time in the past 10 meetings -- including by an identical 31-7 score in Cape Girardeau last year -- and leads the all-time series 21-3.

"It's a loss. All we can do is put it in the past," junior wide receiver Spencer Davis said. "A couple of mistakes hurt us. ... At the end of the day the score is what it is. We just have to move forward."

Southeast, as has been the case in most games this season, fell behind early.

After the Redhawks went three and out on the day's opening possession, a 20-yard punt return set EKU up at the Southeast 42-yard line.

The Colonels needed just three plays to score, redshirt freshman tailback J.J. Jude breaking loose up the middle for a 28-yard touchdown.

Southeast moved into EKU territory on only two of its six first-half possessions. Both times fumbles by sophomore quarterback Scott Lathrop ended those threats.

Southeast Missouri State linebacker Matt Starks cuts off Eastern Kentucky quarterback Jared McClain during the first quarter of the Redhawks’ 31-7 homecoming loss to the Colonels Saturday, Oct. 26, at Houck Stadium. (Adam Vogler)

The Redhawks' best drive of the game, late in the opening period, moved the ball from their 20 to a second-and-1 at the EKU 5. That's when Lathrop lost his first fumble, keeping the score 7-0.

"A little out of character," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said of Lathrop's miscues. "If you look at the numbers, we're right in there [EKU finished with a slight 333-320 edge in total yardage]. But turnovers. ... We had a few drives that stalled."

EKU drove all the way from its 2-yard line after recovering the fumble and got a 44-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead.

It became 17-0 midway through the second quarter on a short 47-yard drive after a punt by freshman Alex Knight that traveled just 14 yards. Junior quarterback Jared McClain hit senior wide receiver Ike Ariguzo with a 45-yard touchdown pass.

The Redhawks' only other first-half shot at points ended on the ensuing possession when Lathrop's fumble was recovered by EKU at the Colonels 35-yard line.

"The team played hard, it's just mistakes. Shooting ourselves in the foot," senior cornerback Cantrell Andrews said.

EKU also turned that miscue into points, this time in unconventional fashion.

The Colonels, facing fourth down from the Southeast 25, lined up for a 42-yard field-goal attempt, but holder Jordan Berry immediately rose up after taking the snap.

Berry, a senior, saw nothing but wide-open space in front of him as he raced untouched 25 yards to the end zone with 3:27 left in the first half.

"It caught us off guard. We relaxed on the backside," said Andrews, a Central High School graduate.

EKU threatened to turn things into a massive blowout early in the second half, taking the opening possession and driving inside Southeast's 20-yard line.

The Colonels' only turnover of the game momentarily stemmed the tide for Southeast as Andrews recovered a fumble at the 19.

Southeast couldn't capitalize on that miscue but finally got on the board after forcing a punt from deep in EKU territory.

The Redhawks drove 56 yards, converting a fourth-and-14 as Lathrop hit sophomore wide receiver Paul McRoberts for a 24-yard completion.

Southeast scored when McRoberts caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Lathrop with 2:40 left in the third period, cutting the deficit to 24-7.

But the Redhawks' momentum was short-lived.

EKU answered right back, needing to drive only 49 yards after a short kickoff and a 5-yard offside penalty was tacked on. McClain's 1-yard plunge 21 seconds into the final period made it 31-7.

"I don't know if the wind was tricky or what, but we weren't as effective on punts and kickoffs," Samuel said. "We didn't give up the home run but really good field position."

The Colonels spent the rest of the day simply bleeding the clock on their way to the easy win.