Southeast Missouri State football team turns attention to OVC opener

The Southeast Missouri State football team had a forgettable performance Saturday night at Southern Illinois.

SIU thoroughly dominated, piling up 565 total yards and holding Southeast to 186 yards during a 35-14 romp in the Redhawks' final nonconference contest.

But the Redhawks (1-2), while disappointed with their showing against their regional rival, believe they'll bounce back this week as they begin Ohio Valley Conference play.

Southeast embarks on its eight-game OVC schedule when Tennessee Tech visits Houck Stadium at 6 p.m. Saturday.

"The conference run is ahead of us. That's been our goal from the beginning," All-American senior linebacker Blake Peiffer said after the SIU contest. "We're looking forward to our first [conference] game."

Southeast Missouri State quarterback Blake Jackson drops back to pass during the Redhawks’ 35-14 loss to Southern Illinois on Saturday. (ADAM VOGLER)

Tech (2-1) is coming off a 63-13 drubbing against Football Bowl Subdivision powerhouse Oregon.

Tech was one of three teams to share last year's OVC championship, the Eagles' first conference title since 1976. They earned the league's automatic playoff berth based on tie-breakers.

"I'm excited. We'll be ready to play Tennessee Tech," senior safety Brandon Spann said after facing SIU.

Southeast coach Tony Samuel said Monday he doesn't expect the Redhawks to suffer any type of hangover from Saturday's loss that saw the Redhawks trail 21-0 at halftime after being outgained in total yardage 364 to 30.

"Players tend to recover quicker than coaches," Samuel said. "I think we'll be ready to go. We're on the major goal, to win the conference."

Samuel said the emotion of playing a big rival probably worked against the Redhawks when they faced SIU, especially defensively.

"I think the kids got too excited," he said. "We busted a lot of coverages. We were all over the place with our mechanics."

While Saturday's Family Weekend matchup with Tennessee Tech will represent just one-eighth of Southeast's OVC schedule, Samuel is not understating its significance.

"This is a very important game for both teams," Samuel said. "You're starting out conference play. ... It gives you a nice springboard. This is such a close conference race, I think it's important to get a good start. Every game is important."

Noteworthy

* Junior punter Joe Vucic leads the OVC with a 44.5-yard average that ranks seventh nationally. He had a busy game Saturday, averaging 45.3 yards on nine kicks. He twice pinned SIU inside its own 5-yard line as the Salukis took over at their own 1 and 3.

* Senior kicker Drew Geldbach leads the OVC in field goals with five and field-goal percentage at 83.3, having missed just once. He is ninth nationally in field goals with 1.67 per game.

* Peiffer's 18 tackles at SIU are the most by an OVC player so far this season.

* Southeast's plus-eight turnover margin leads the OVC and ranks second nationally. The Redhawks have gained 13 turnovers -- which leads the nation -- while losing five. Southeast is first in the league and second nationally with seven interceptions.

* The Redhawks are the only OVC team to have not recorded a quarterback sack. Southeast has allowed seven sacks.

* Samuel said he is uncertain if sophomore fullback Ron Coleman, who missed Saturday's game with a knee injury, will be ready to play against Tennessee Tech.