The No. 1 question

Houston Lillard and Victor Anderson both would love to be Southeast Missouri State's starting quarterback for the 2007 season.

As the Redhawks wrapped up their third week of spring practice Saturday afternoon with a scrimmage, the race for No. 1 signal-caller appears too close to call.

Southeast coach Tony Samuel wouldn't be surprised if that continues for quite a while, perhaps even into the days leading up to the Aug. 30 opener at Cincinnati.

Suffice to say, Lillard and Anderson, junior college transfers in various stages in the program, are waging a spirited battle for the position.

"They both bring strengths to the table. They've got live arms, they move well and they're students of the game," Samuel said. "They're both making progress, and they still have the summer and fall camp to compete.

"If they're close, I don't mind using two quarterbacks, but if there's separation, I'd rather use one. Right now, I'd say they're pretty close."

As the ony two scholarship quarterbacks participating in spring drills, Lillard and Anderson, who both flashed strong, accurate arms and good mobility Saturday, are sharing the bulk of the repetitions.

Also on hand is walk-on redshirt freshman Steve Callanan, who Samuel said is making progress, while two scholarship freshmen -- Jared Van Slyke from St. Louis and Laron Johnson from Oakland, Calif. -- will join the mix in the fall.

But, barring injury, it appears likely that the job is there to win for either Lillard or Anderson.

"We've got some pretty good competition going right now," Anderson said following Saturday's scrimmage at Houck Stadium. "We'll go into the fall competing. I'll just do my best and see where it goes.

Lillard echoed those sentiments, adding, "All I can do is give it my best, then it's up to the coach to make a decision."

Whoever emerges as the Redhawks' starter, that person will never have thrown a pass on a level higher than junior college.

Last season's starter, Kevin Ballatore, was a senior, and his backup, sophomore Markus Mosley, left the program after seeing limited playing time.

Lillard believed at one time that he would be entering this season with quite a bit of Division I-AA experience.

But what he thought was just a sore knee that he brought with him from junior college ended up ruining those plans.

Lillard transferred to Southeast last summer after passing for more than 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns at Laney Community College in his native Oakland, Calif.

Lillard's right knee had been giving him some trouble in junior college, but he didn't think there was much to it, and he worked out in Cape Girardeau over the summer. But the knee was still acting up prior to the start of fall practice, and that's when an MRI revealed ligament damage. He had surgery in September and never got on the field.

"It had been swollen when I came here, and right when [fall] camp started it was still swollen," said the 205-pound Lillard, who is listed at 6-feet, although he appears an inch or two shorter. "They found out it was torn and I had surgery.

"It was tough to not be able to play after I spent all summer out there working. It was stressful."

Lillard is happy to report he no longer feels stressed now that he's back on the field, and his knee feels almost as good as new.

"I have my days, depending on the weather, but I feel good," said Lillard, who wears a brace on his right knee as a precaution but expects to shed it soon.

"I'm moving around way better right now than I thought I would. I don't think anybody expected me to be moving like this."

Asked to list his strengths as a quarterback, Lillard said, "I see stuff mentally. I think I'm smart back there. I use it to my advantage. I'm only 5-10 or 5-11, so I have to be that way."

While Lillard has already been around Cape Girardeau for almost a year, Anderson arrived in January after transferring from Mesa (Ariz.) Community College.

"I mainly came here because I love the coaching staff and it's close to home," said Anderson, who attended Belleville (Ill.) East High School. "I'm loving it here."

It didn't hurt Southeast's chances of landing Anderson that his twin brother, wide receiver Vincent, was also being recruited by the Redhawks.

Vincent Anderson, who like Victor played at Mesa Community College, also transferred to Southeast in January and is participating in spring practice.

"They wanted us both. That was another reason I came here," Victor Anderson said. "I love playing with my brother. We live together. We've always been real close."

Victor Anderson's junior college statistics last year were not eye-popping, as he passed for 800 yards and rushed for 300 yards while splitting time.

But the left-handed Anderson has opened the eyes of Southeast coaches with his ability to avoid pressure and either throw on the run or scramble for yardage.

"I can make plays if things break down, improvise," he said.

Anderson, listed at 6-2 and 215 pounds, appears to be built more like a linebacker than a quarterback. He said he bench-presses 455 pounds.

"When I'm in street clothes, a lot of people think I'm a linebacker," Anderson said with a laugh.

Whether or not Anderson takes his muscled physique all the way to the starting quarterback position remains to be seen, but he and Lillard are prepared to keep competing for the duration.

"We're pushing each other," Lillard said. "It'll stay that way, and sooner or later somebody will have to play."

Noteworthy

• Southeast will conclude spring drills with an intrasquad game at noon Saturday.