The farewell game

Adam Casper's relatives won't have to travel far for senior day.

That's only fitting, since Casper's family has been a fixture at Houck Stadium to see one of the most productive defensive careers in recent Southeast Missouri State football history.

"It's real nice to have that support," Casper said. "They show up and get behind me win or lose."

Casper will be among nine Southeast seniors recognized prior to today's season finale against visiting Jacksonville State.

For a guy who came to Southeast as a fullback, the former Anna-Jonesboro (Ill.) High School standout has carved out quite a niche at linebacker.

Senior Adam Casper started his career at Southeast Missouri State as a fullback, but switched to linebacker during his sophomore season. The graduate of Anna-Jonesboro High School has since become all-OVC and the team's leading tackler. (Aaron eisenhauer ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com)

Casper leads the Ohio Valley Conference and ranks 14th nationally in tackles per game. He has 100 total tackles.

As a junior last year, Casper ranked second in the OVC with 108 tackles on his way to earning first-team all-OVC honors.

"He's done a really good job for us," said second-year Southeast coach Tony Samuel. "He's a strong, tough, physical kid.

"He's got the work ethic ... he's just a great kid. He was voted captain by the team, our only defensive captain, so that tells you something."

Casper, who at 6-feet-1 and 250 pounds is among the Redhawks' strongest players -- he holds the program's weight-lifting records for linebackers -- was a two-time all-state fullback at Anna-Jonesboro.

Southeast Missouri State linebacker Adam Casper leads the OVC in tackles per game. (Aaron eisenhauer ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com)

He signed with Southeast, which was then coached by Tim Billings, as a fullback.

But it wasn't long after Casper joined the program that Southeast went to a wide-open, pass-first style of offense that made the fullback almost extinct.

Casper redshirted in 2003 because of an injury suffered in preseason, then played sparingly in 2004, carrying four times for eight yards, although he did score two touchdowns on short plunges.

Hungry for more action, Casper decided to take matters into his own hands. He approached Southeast's coaches in 2005 about switching to linebacker, which he had also played in high school.

"After they went to a wide-open style, the fullback kind of got lost and I wasn't playing that much," Casper said. "I knew I could still play linebacker."

Casper began 2005 still not seeing all that much action, but as he got more comfortable with his new position, his playing time increased greatly.

Casper started the last three games of that season and finished with 42 tackles, which was seventh-best on the squad.

Ever since, Casper has been among the OVC's premier linebackers, using instincts, toughness and solid athleticism to make plays all over the field.

"It worked out pretty well for me," he said.

Casper acknowledges that his college football career has been somewhat bittersweet.

While excelling individually, he has experienced little team success. Southeast (2-8, 0-6 OVC) takes a seven-game losing streak into today's finale against Jacksonville State (6-4, 5-2). The Redhawks are 11-32 during Casper's four seasons.

"It's nice that I've had a lot of success, but I'm sincere when I say I'd trade it all for wins," he said. "That's the hardest part [not winning much]. It's been a long and bumpy road."

Casper, a Southeast Scholar Athlete with a 3.5 grade-point average in finance, is scheduled to graduate in December. He plans to attend graduate school at Southern Illinois, where "all my hometown friends are."

As for how Casper wound up at Southeast instead of Division I-AA powerhouse SIU, Casper pointed out that when he graduated from high school, the Salukis' program was struggling and Southeast had just gone 8-4.

"When I came out, SIU hadn't won very much and SEMO offered me first," Casper said.

Casper would like to get a shot at making an NFL roster. He likely won't be drafted, but could end up in a team's training camp.

"If the opportunity arises ... but I haven't really heard much yet," Casper said.

In the meantime, Casper would love to close his college career with a victory.

"It's the last game and you'll get excited," he said. "It would be nice to get a win, and it'll be special just playing with all these guys one more time."

Other seniors

Other Southeast seniors are fullback Clint Jones, tailback Elton Peterson, tight end Joe Tuineau, offensive linemen Francisco Perez and Clayton Caron, defensive lineman Pat Christian, and defensive backs Romae Rucker and Joe Grant.

Most have either been starters or key backups during their Southeast careers. Jones and Perez are captains.

"It's hard to describe the senior day feeling until you've done it. I've been through it," Samuel said. "When you've been playing football since fourth or fifth grade, and you're running out on the field for maybe the last time in your career ...

"Senior day is always special. You always want to close it out the right way for the seniors."