Sycamores could be cure, or lethal

Southeast Missouri State has one more nonleague game to clean up its act for a seven-game Ohio Valley Conference push to end the season.

The Redhawks could use a win over reeling Indiana State this week to provide a dose of confidence. The teams square off at 11 a.m. Saturday in Terre Haute, Ind.

"We just want to win, plain and simple," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said during his weekly media briefing Monday.

Southeast (1-3) suffered its third straight loss Saturday, 45-28 to visiting Missouri State.

The Redhawks had four passes intercepted, two being returned for touchdowns and another setting up a short touchdown drive.

This after the Redhawks had been plus-four in turnover margin during their first three games. They were minus-three against the Bears, leaving them at plus-one for the season.

"We have to go out and execute and go back to cutting down on turnovers," Samuel said. "We had been doing a good job of that."

On paper it would appear as if ISU might be good medicine for Southeast.

ISU (0-3) has the nation's longest Division I-AA losing streak, having dropped its last 17 games.

The Sycamores have won just one of their last 42 games and have suffered through 11 straight losing seasons.

ISU has been outscored 138-6 in its first three games and has yet to score a touchdown.

But the Sycamores have faced a brutal early schedule, playing two Division I-A teams (Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois) and a ranked Division I-AA squad (Eastern Illinois). All three contests were on the road.

ISU appeared to be just as down last year, but Southeast only beat the Sycamores 13-10 at Houck Stadium, part of an 0-11 campaign for ISU.

"It's not going to be easy," Samuel said. "Indiana State is going to want to win too. It's their first home game. ... They'll be excited."

Following Saturday's contest, Southeast visits preseason OVC favorite Jacksonville State on Oct. 4.

The Redhawks are 0-1 in conference play, while the Gamecocks play their league opener Saturday at Eastern Illinois.

Passing Redhawks

Southeast was not known for its air attack in Samuel's first two seasons.

The Redhawks ranked next-to-last in the OVC in passing offense both years, averaging 116 yards per game in 2006 and 160.6 yards per game in 2007.

Southeast currently leads the league in that category, throwing for 295 yards per contest to rank 12th nationally.

"Who would have thought we'd be leading the league in passing?" Samuel mused.

Samuel attributes that partly to the ability of senior quarterback Houston Lillard and his receivers and partly to the fact opponents are trying to take away the run.

"When they're loading the box, you have to take what they give you," Samuel said.

Southeast is seventh in the nine-team OVC in rushing offense at 89 yards per game, after averaging 171.2 yards last year.

The Redhawks' ground attack figures to improve when senior tailback Timmy Holloman becomes eligible for the final seven games of the season.

Southeast is fourth in the OVC in total offense with 384 yards per game, after ranking next-to-last a year ago with 331.8.

Lillard leads the OVC in passing yards per game with 275.5. He has thrown for 1,102 yards.

Junior Walter Peoples leads the league in receptions per game with six, while junior Brad Stewart is tied for fifth with five. Peoples has 24 catches and Stewart 20.

Defensively, Southeast is last in the league in yards allowed per game at 464.5 and tied for last in points allowed at 38.5.

But Southeast's defense had its best statistical performance of the year Saturday, allowing a season-low 314 yards.

"We did better. I thought the tackling in space was better," Samuel said. "We can still do better."

Senior linebacker Nick Stauffer is second in the OVC and 10th nationally with 12.5 tackles per game.

"Stauffer's having a real good run. He's making a lot of plays for us," Samuel said.

Senior defensive end Ben Gugler is tied for first in the OVC with three sacks.

Senior punter Doug Spada leads the conference and is second nationally with a 47.2-yard average.

Noteworthy

• Sophomore tailback Mike Jones and junior fullback Nick Grassi — both starters — are questionable for Saturday after suffering injuries against Missouri State.