Southeast's back runs wild in second half

~ Holloman scored on runs of 20, 66 and 31 yards in the win.

It had been a rough start to the season for Southeast Missouri State's leading rusher the past two years.

But Timmy Holloman finally got going in the second half Saturday night to help the Redhawks post their first win.

Holloman, a junior tailback, rambled for 203 yards and three touchdowns -- all from at least 20 yards out -- as Southeast held off Division II Southwest Baptist 38-17.

"He had a great night," said Southeast coach Tony Samuel, whose squad evened its record at 1-1.

Actually, a great second half.

Holloman was held to just 8 yards on six carries during a season-opening 59-3 loss at Division I-A Cincinnati.

And in the first half Saturday, Holloman gained 26 yards on seven attempts as Southeast's offensive front had trouble controlling the line of scrimmage.

But the line got untracked in the second half, opening numerous big holes for Holloman, who ran wild with touchdown runs of 20, 66 and 31 yards.

Holloman carried 12 times for 177 yards in the second half, finishing with a near-career high yardage total on 19 attempts.

Holloman, whose three touchdowns were a career high, gained 212 yards last year against Murray State. He rushed for more than 1,300 yards combined the past two seasons.

"Thanks to my fullback [Clint Jones] and my offensive line. They did it," Holloman said, deflecting praise.

Senior Francisco Perez, a four-year starter and the leader of Southeast's re-built offensive line, said the Redhawks finally wore down the Bearcats in the second half.

And Perez added that, once the speedy Holloman gets a crease, he's hard to stop.

"He's a great back," Perez said.

Young cornerbacks shine

Redshirt freshman cornerback Chris Nelson and sophomore cornerback Eddie Calvin both attained career firsts Saturday.

Nelson, a backup seeing plenty of action because SBU spread out so many wide receivers, intercepted his first two collegiate passes on consecutive Bearcats possessions late in the third quarter.

"It was exciting," Nelson said. "After not playing last year ... my first home game since high school."

Calvin, who saw extensive action a year ago as a true freshman, scored his first collegiate touchdown with a 100-yard interception return in the fourth quarter that basically sealed the victory.

"It was real exciting to score a touchdown," said Calvin, whose only previous Southeast interception came during last year's final game.

Three quarterbacks play

While starter Victor Anderson saw the bulk of the action, fellow junior Houston Lillard also played some at quarterback for the second week in a row.

Anderson threw for Southeast's first touchdown, an 11-yarder to sophomore wide receiver Brad Stewart that gave the Redhawks a 7-0 lead midway through the second quarter. It was Stewart's first collegiate TD.

Lillard tossed a 2-point conversion pass to junior wide out Vincent Anderson -- Victor's twin brother -- that rounded out the night's scoring.

Victor Anderson completed 4-of-8 passes for 55 yards, but he was sacked six times. That helped hold his rushing total to 29 yards, after he gained 118 yards against Cincinnati.

Lillard completed 2-of-3 for 29 yards.

With Southeast ahead 38-17 in the closing minutes, redshirt freshman Steve Callanan saw the first action of his collegiate career. He did not attempt a pass.