Tigers too much for Redhawks

~ Tennessee State usedbackup QBs in a 31-0 decisionthat ended Southeast's bidfor a winning season.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Even without star quarterback Antonio Heffner, Tennessee State proved way too tough for Southeast Missouri State.

As a result, the Redhawks no longer have a chance to post a winning season -- which had been their stated goal -- in their first year under coach Tony Samuel.

TSU routed Southeast 31-0 Saturday afternoon in front of 4,271 fans at 67,000-seat LP Field, which also serves as home of the Tennessee Titans.

It was Southeast's second shutout defeat of the season, after having previously not been blanked since 2001. The last time Southeast was shut out more than once in the same year was 1996, when it happened three times.

The Redhawks (4-6, 2-5 Ohio Valley Conference) close out the campaign Saturday at home against Tennessee Tech.

Southeast is assured of its fourth straight losing season. The Redhawks have had just two winning records since moving up to Division I-AA in 1991: 7-5 in 1994 and 8-4 in 2002.

"It's disappointing," Southeast senior defensive end Kyle Hunt said. "We really wanted to have a winning season. But we're still going to finish strong. We've got way too many seniors to give up."

TSU (6-4, 5-1), which posted just one OVC victory last year, moved into a virtual three-way tie for first place as Tennessee-Martin suffered its initial conference loss Saturday, falling at home to Eastern Kentucky.

The Tigers can clinch at least a share of the OVC championship by winning its final game Saturday at Eastern Kentucky.

TSU remained in the conference title hunt despite not having OVC passing leader Heffner. He missed his second straight game with a shoulder injury.

The Tigers got by Saturday with a combination of Richard Hartman -- the 2005 starter who filled in for Heffner during last week's 29-3 loss at Eastern Illinois -- and freshman Julian Sample, who did not attempt a pass but was effective running the football.

But mainly it was TSU's defense that stole the show.

Southeast, playing without starting quarterback Kevin Ballatore (back injury), managed just 133 total yards, and 56 of those came on a meaningless drive late in the fourth quarter.

The Redhawks crossed midfield just twice all game, reaching the TSU 45-yard line late in the first half and the TSU 29-yard line late in the final period.

"We didn't play well today at all. I don't know what the reason is," an obviously miffed Samuel said. "The score was 31-0. ... I'm not trying to find any linings. I just didn't like the way we played."

Southeast's defense was placed under the gun most of the day by the Redhawks' floundering offense. Southeast held TSU to 285 yards -- 60 yards below its average -- and 17 of the Tigers' points were set up by offensive or special teams mistakes.

Still, Hunt said, "We had too many missed tackles, too many missed assignments. We could have put our offense in better position."

The Redhawks trailed 17-0 at halftime, despite allowing just one drive of real substance to the Tigers, that being a 72-yard touchdown march midway through the first quarter.

A field goal late in the opening period after a blocked punt -- quarterback Markus Mosley had his boot stuffed after he lined up behind center on fourth down, then retreated into the shotgun to kick -- made it 10-0.

A 47-yard TSU touchdown drive early in the second quarter following a Southeast fumble made it 17-0.

Any hopes Southeast had of a comeback were basically eliminated when TSU drove 87 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter. An 8-yard TD drive midway through the final period following Mosley's interception ended the scoring.