Samuel solution: Start both QBs

~ Southeast ran its first offensive play with both quarterbacks on the field.

Tony Samuel had a solution to the question about which of his juniors would start at quarterback Thursday night in Cincinnati.

Southeast Missouri State employed a formation with Houston Lillard behind center and Victor Anderson in the backfield.

"Really, Vincent White was the one who came up with that," Samuel said, referring to his offensive coordinator. "Those guys were pretty competitive with each other, and you try to do something to get the best athletes on the field."

Added Anderson: "The intention was to catch them with a little trickery, but the defensive end came off fast and I had to abort and try to make a play."

Southeast Missouri State defensive back Walter Peoples tackled Cincinnati running back Butler Benton.

Anderson turned the pitch into a 5-yard run.

By the end of the night, he had rushed for 118 yards on 13 carries for an average of 9.1 yards per carry. He came the closest to scoring a touchdown for Southeast, scampering 36 yards to Cincinnati's 1-yard line midway through the second quarter. It set up a 25-yard Doug Spada field goal that made the score 13-3.

Cincinnati, a Big East Conference team that played in a bowl last year, then scored 46 consecutive points for a 59-3 decision.

"I felt like I made some good plays with my feet," Anderson said. "I just have to hold on to the ball."

Anderson fumbled once in Cincinnati territory for one of Southeast's six turnovers. He also was intercepted in the end zone.

Cincinnati running back Bradley Glatthaar (11) celebrates with Ben Guidugli (19) and Digger Bujnoch (72) after Glatthaar scored a touchdown in the first quarter of a college football game against Southeast Missouri State, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Lillard, who had been competing with Anderson for the starting job all fall, turned the ball over three times on two fumbles and an interception, which was returned for a touchdown.

The advantage went to Anderson, who added 58 yards passing, while taking most of the snaps through the first three quarters.

"He came out early and showed he could play with these guys," Samuel said. "He actually played with these guys."

But Samuel wouldn't commit as to how the quarterback race was shaping up until he looked at the film.

He had previously said the three games leading up to the conference season would give him a chance to learn about his team.

Southeast Missouri State quarterback Victor Anderson looked to the sideline for a play during Thursday's season-opening loss to Cincinnati. Anderson and fellow junior Houston Lillard split time at quarterback against the Bearcats. (MIKE WILLIAMSON ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian)

"Coach told me some good things," Anderson said after the game. "I'll leave it at that."