Redhawks set sights on Tech

Each of the last six football games between Southeast Missouri State and Tennessee Tech have been decided by seven points or less.

Both coaches expect nothing to change Saturday when the teams square off in Cookeville, Tenn.

That, they say, is partly due to the nature of the Ohio Valley Conference this year as close contests have highlighted the league.

"You're seeing so much parity now, it's incredible," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said.

Said Tech coach Watson Brown: "If you look at the league right now, I don't think there's a huge difference. SEMO's every bit as good as we are."

Tech has won the past three meetings with Southeast, including 29-27 last season in Cape Girardeau.

"We had a great game with them last year," Samuel said. "I wouldn't be surprised if it's something similar to that."

If that's the case, the Redhawks (1-5, 0-4) hope the ball finally bounces their way because they are riding a five-game losing streak and are the lone OVC squad without a league victory.

The Eagles (3-3, 2-2) already have surpassed their OVC win total from 2008 when they finished last in the league -- just ahead of Southeast. Tech's lone conference victory a year ago came over the Redhawks.

"I think they're very improved," Samuel said.

Like Southeast early in the year, Tech had a chance to knock off OVC power Eastern Illinois before suffering a 23-15 road loss last week.

Tech was done in by a season-high five turnovers after committing just four turnovers in its first five games.

"We played a good football team and played our worst game of the year by far," Brown said. "You don't beat anybody in this league with five turnovers."

The Eagles also were hampered at Eastern Illinois by something that has plagued Southeast -- too little time with the football. Eastern Illinois had a whopping 43:10 to 16:50 time of possession advantage against Tech.

Southeast ranks last in the OVC in time of possession -- averaging 24:50 per game -- while Tech is next-to-last at 26:03.

Tech features one of the league's most experienced quarterbacks in senior Lee Sweeney.

Sweeney, the OVC freshman of the year in 2006 after redshirting at Louisville the previous year, has completed 58.6 percent (95 of 162) for 1,169 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

"He's very good. He's accurate and he throws the ball on time," Samuel said.

Sweeney's favorite target is sophomore Tim Benford, who ranks third in OVC in receiving yards per game. He has caught 20 passes and averages 18.1 yards per reception.

Benford was suspended for last week's game, but Brown said he will be back Saturday.

Tech has struggled running the ball, averaging 86.7 yards per game on the ground.

Defensively, Samuel said the Eagles "really run to the ball well."

The Redhawks are coming off their bye week as they gear up for a rugged finishing kick to their schedule.

Three of Southeast's final five opponents are nationally ranked, led by nonconference rival Southern Illinois at No. 3. Jacksonville State is 12th while Eastern Kentucky -- next week's opponent -- checks in at No. 20.

On the plus side, the Redhawks play their final three games at home following next week's trip to Eastern Kentucky.