Redhawks want to close on high note vs. Austin Peay

Not much tangible will be on the line today for Southeast Missouri State when the Redhawks wrap up their season.

But the Redhawks say they'll have plenty to play for when they visit Austin Peay for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

It doesn't matter that Southeast (3-8, 1-6 Ohio Valley Conference) is relegated to its 16th losing record in 18 years on the Division I-AA level.

The Redhawks say they desperately want to win the final game, primarily so the seniors can go out on a high note and the younger players can carry momentum into the offseason.

"It's important to us that we come out with a win," senior defensive end Ben Gugler said.

Added freshman quarterback Matt Scheible: "It would be good for us, going into the offseason, to go out with a win."

While the Redhawks had their hopes of a winning season dashed several games ago, Gugler said they have remained motivated to improve during each practice.

"It's not really tough to go to practice," he said. "It's not about us. It's all about the team and the younger kids. We [the upperclassmen] try to set a good example."

Southeast coach Tony Samuel said he appreciates how strong the Redhawks' work habits and attitude have remained, even as the losses continued to mount.

"I can't say enough about this team from that perspective," said Samuel, whose squad has suffered three straight defeats since upsetting nationally ranked Tennessee State. "They've been getting after it. They work."

Samuel said winning the final game is "always important. One, for the seniors. I would be very surprised if they [all the players] didn't put together a good week of practice and give it their best shot."

Samuel expects the same thing from Austin Peay (2-8, 2-5), which also will try to end its season in positive fashion after being the surprise of the OVC last year.

The Govs were picked to finish last in the conference in 2007, but tied for third and went 7-4 overall.

Last year the Govs pulled out numerous close victories, but this season they have suffered several narrow defeats -- much like Southeast.

"We're both doing the same things, playing hard, taking it to the wire," Samuel said. "They've really battled, like we have.

"That's just the way the league is this year. Everybody is so close."

The Govs, who lost to OVC co-leader Eastern Kentucky and runner-up Tennessee State by three points each, was on the right side of a close call last week as they posted a 15-13 upset at Eastern Illinois.

Austin Peay features a talented young running back in redshirt freshman Ryan White, who has recorded three straight 100-yard rushing performances, and an emerging young quarterback in sophomore Trent Caffee.

The Govs also have one of the OVC's premier return men in sophomore Terrence Holt and a solid defense.

"He's [White] a good back, the quarterback has good poise, they've got a great returner and they really play hard on defense," Samuel said.

Austin Peay won last year's meeting 34-31 in double overtime in Cape Girardeau, and Samuel said he wouldn't be surprised if today's game is just as close.

A Southeast win would allow the Redhawks to finish at least tied for seventh place in the nine-team OVC and perhaps wind up as high as tied for sixth.

But more than that, a victory would make the Redhawks feel good about themselves.

"We really want to win," Gugler said.