Redhawks still look for first first-quarter points

There has been one constant during Southeast Missouri State's 1-2 start.

The Redhawks have fallen behind by considerable margins in all three games, being outscored 45-0 in the first quarter.

Southeast coach Tony Samuel expressed concern about that during Monday's weekly news conference.

"That's something we're looking at. We're taking a good look at it," Samuel said. "Take away that first quarter and we've got a chance to do some good things.

"You don't want to spot people."

That's what the Redhawks have been doing so far this season.

Falling into an early hole at Missouri -- the nation's fifth-ranked Division I-A team -- in the second game is understandable.

Missouri led 21-0 after one quarter on its way to a 52-3 romp.

More disturbing to the Redhawks is the way they dug early holes against Division II Southwest Baptist and Tennessee Tech.

Southwest Baptist led 14-0 after one quarter of the season opener. The Redhawks never led in regulation before pulling out a 35-28 overtime victory.

Tennessee Tech jumped out to a 10-0 lead after one quarter of Thursday's Ohio Valley Conference opener.

The Redhawks regrouped to go ahead early in the fourth quarter -- it was their first regulation lead of the season -- before the Golden Eagles rallied for a 29-27 triumph.

Southeast has outscored the opposition 33-13 in the fourth quarter and overtime.

"Every game we get behind," junior wide receiver Walter Peoples said following Thursday's contest. "We need to work on coming out strong from the first quarter."

Harris honored

Sophomore tailback Henry Harris was named the OVC co-newcomer of the week Monday.

Harris, a University of Memphis transfer who played sparingly for the Division I-A Tigers last year, saw his first action of the season for Southeast against Tennessee Tech.

Harris, who missed the first two games with a knee injury, had the Redhawks' top rushing performance of the season as he gained 70 yards on 14 carries and scored a touchdown.

"Henry is a good back," said Samuel, who added that Harris is still not 100 percent healthy. "He plays with a real good passion for the game. He was a nice injection for us."

Spada's struggles

Junior Doug Spada is the national Division I-AA leader in punting with an average of 49.9 yards.

Last year Spada earned honorable-mention All-American honors and was the all-OVC first-team punter as he averaged 42.5 yards.

Spada has struggled some with his field-goal kicking so far this season, making five of 11 attempts after he was 14 of 22 in 2007.

Spada has made only four of nine attempts from under 40 yards, after he missed just two of 11 such attempts last year.

But Samuel said he is not worried about Spada, noting that a field-goal attempt against Missouri was blocked and one against Tennessee Tech was touched slightly.

"I don't think he's in a slump," Samuel said. "He's punting and kicking off extremely well. I think he's going to be fine."

Offensive line shuffle

Samuel said converted defensive lineman Errick Aliifua will make his first start at left offensive tackle Saturday when the Redhawks host Missouri State (0-2) in a 6 p.m. kickoff.

Aliifua, a sophomore, was moved to the offensive line before the Missouri game after Southeast suffered several injuries.

Sophomore John Schuller, who had been starting at left tackle, will move over to right tackle, with junior Jason Brown sliding over from right tackle to left guard.

Senior Matt James, a Jackson High School product, began the season as the starting left tackle but has missed the past two games with an injury. The same goes for normal starting center Paul McGuire.

McGuire was listed as probable in Monday's media notes, with James listed as doubtful.

Next opponent

Missouri State, which competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference -- formerly the Gateway Conference -- was upset by Division II Washburn 35-27 in its season opener.

The Bears then suffered a 57-13 loss at Division I-A Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Missouri State hammered Southeast 55-17 last year in Springfield, part of a 6-5 season for the Bears, who went 2-4 in the MVFC.