Samuel encouraged by Redhawks' debut vs. Central Michigan

Southeast Missouri State did quite a few things well during Thursday's season-opening 38-27 loss at Football Bowl Subdivision member Central Michigan.

Special teams were among the Redhawks' highlights, led by strong performances from junior punter Joe Vucic and senior kicker Drew Geldbach, who are both in their third year as regulars.

Vucic, who led the Ohio Valley Conference and ranked 23rd nationally in 2011 with a 41.1-yard average, got off to a booming start.

Vucic averaged 47.6 yards on five punts, including kicks of 68 and 57 yards.

Geldbach made both of his field-goal attempts -- 40 and 37 yards -- and connected on all three of his extra points. His 40-yarder with just more than six minutes left in the third quarter gave the Redhawks their last lead at 27-24.

The Redhawks also covered kickoffs and punts well against the Chippewas, who rallied from a 14-point first-half deficit to defeat Southeast.

"They both kicked well," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said Monday about Vucic and Geldbach. "The punting was good and two really good, crucial field goals."

Redshirt freshman quarterback Scott Lathrop, making his first collegiate start, completed 10 of 17 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a score.

Lathrop was the first player other than record-setting Matt Scheible to start under center for Southeast since 2008. Scheible completed his eligibility last year.

"He showed a lot of poise," Samuel said about Lathrop.

Added Samuel: "We had some good things. There were a lot of encouraging signs."

Among the things Samuel didn't like in the opener was the Redhawks' tackling and penalties.

Central Michigan rushed for 324 yards and averaged 7.2 yards per carry. Running backs for the Chippewas broke tackles throughout the game.

"We have to tackle much better," Samuel said.

Southeast was penalized 10 times for 75 yards. The Chippewas were not penalized.

"I didn't see any questionable calls, to be quite honest with you," Samuel said. "They were legit calls."

Asked about the Chippewas not being flagged even once, a smiling Samuel said, "You're trying to get me in trouble."

Five true freshmen play

Southeast used five true freshmen in the opener, including quarterback Blake Jackson, Lathrop's backup.

Jackson played two snaps late in the fourth quarter after Lathrop briefly suffered from cramps. Jackson completed a pass that netted zero yards and ran for five yards.

"He responded well," Samuel said about Jackson.

Other true freshmen seeing action were safety David Coley, defensive end Travis Sanders, defensive end Lawrence Hills and nose tackle Jon Slania.

Sanders and Slania both are listed No. 2 on the depth chart.

"Some of them didn't get many reps," Samuel said. "[Slania] got probably the most reps. I thought he handled himself well. It was a great experience for all of them."

Noteworthy

* Junior backup fullback Josh Nicks suffered a season-ending knee injury on the opening kickoff at Central Michigan. It was the Redhawks' only significant injury.

"He just planted and made a cut," Samuel said. "That's always tough. He did a lot of things for us."

* Samuel said senior tackle Taylor Ramsey and senior linebacker Darrick Borum, two defensive starters who did not make the trip to Central Michigan after violating unspecified team rules, will return for Saturday's 6 p.m. home opener against Division II Mars Hill College.

"They'll be back. I would think they'll start," Samuel said.

* Mars Hill, which went 8-3 last year and earned its first playoff berth in program history, lost 42-14 at Football Championship Subdivision member Western Carolina in its opener.

All youngsters age 14 and under will be admitted free to Saturday's game.