Southeast, Samford set for prime time

ESPNU will televise tonight's contest, as each team bids for its first OVC victory.

Neither Southeast Missouri State nor Samford was expected to contend for this year's Ohio Valley Conference title.

But winning tonight's game is imperative if either team stands a chance in the league race.

And perhaps that pressure, and a recent history of high-scoring affairs, attracted ESPNU to the 6:30 p.m. contest in Birmingham, Ala.

"No question this is a big game," Southeast coach Tim Billings said. "I think it's a must-win game for both teams."

Southeast has stumbled out to an 0-4 start and lost its OVC opener 24-10 last weekend to two-time defending champion Jacksonville State. Samford (1-3, 0-1) was hammered 43-14 at Eastern Illinois last weekend in its OVC opener.

The slow starts weren't unexpected.

After tying for sixth place in the OVC last year with matching 3-5 records and having many of their top performers complete their eligibility, both the Redhawks and the Bulldogs were picked toward the bottom of the OVC's preseason poll. Samford rated sixth and Southeast eighth.

Hardly national television material. But ESPNU, which is not available on local cable but can be picked up through Dish Network or DirecTV, will televise tonight's game.

The station could have an instant classic if the contest is anything like last year's, which Southeast won 51-48 in four overtimes in Cape Girardeau.

There is potential for offensive fireworks.

Samford has evidently found successful replacements for the school's all-time leading passer (quarterback Ray Nelson) and receiver (wide out Efrem Hill). The Bulldogs lead the OVC in total offense with 409.2 yards per game, led by sophomore quarterback Jefferson Adcock, who prior to this season had not attempted a collegiate pass.

Adcock, who tops the OVC in total offense with 1,120 yards, has thrown for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns, although his completion percentage is just 51.7 (77 of 149) and he has five interceptions.

"He has been playing as good as can be expected for a first-year starter," Samford coach Bill Gray said.

Like Southeast, Samford employs a wide-open offense that generally features three and sometimes four wide receivers.

And, like Southeast, Samford has struggled running the ball, although not nearly as much as the Redhawks, who lead the OVC with 304.8 yards passing per game but rank last with 44.8 yards rushing per game. Samford is seventh in OVC rushing with 110.5 yards a contest.

"We'd like to be able to run the ball better, no question," Billings said.

Southeast's defense has improved dramatically from a year ago, when the Redhawks ranked last nationally by allowing 492.8 yards per game.

Southeast is fourth in the OVC in total defense at 372.2 yards per game, including holding Jacksonville State to just 253 yards and Division I-A Kent State to only 195 yards.

But because of an offense that has produced just six touchdowns and turned the ball over nine times, and because of a special teams unit that has had four punts blocked, including two for touchdowns, Southeast doesn't have much to show for its revamped defense.

"Our defense is giving us a chance, but I thought we'd be better on offense," Billings said. "Just looking at the numbers, you hold a team to 253 yards and a team to 195 yards, you should win those games.

"But we're giving up touchdowns to other teams on offense and in the kicking game, and we're not scoring enough points."

Billings believes Southeast will have to put up plenty of points tonight in order to win.

Prior to last year's thrilling win for Southeast, Samford won a 41-31 shootout in Birmingham in 2003.

"They've got a great offensive scheme and I'm really concerned," Billings said. "To prepare for it in a short week ... they'll give our defense fits. We'll have to score some points because they'll be tough to stop."

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TODAY'S GAME

* When: 6:30 p.m.

* Where: Siebert Stadium, Birmingham, Ala.

* Records: Southeast 0-4 (0-1 OVC), Samford 1-3 (0-1 OVC)

* 2004 records: Southeast 3-8 (3-5 OVC), Samford 4-7 (3-5 OVC)

* Coaches: Tim Billings (Southeast) 23-38, sixth year; Bill Gray (Samford) 20-22, fifth year

* Series: Samford leads 3-2

* Last meeting: Southeast won 51-48 in four overtimes in 2004 in Cape Girardeau.

* Radio: KEZS-102.9 FM