Southeast miscues lead to ugly loss on homecoming

Southeast Missouri State University's football team struggled on offense against Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Kentucky on Saturday as they fell to the Colonels 31 -- 7.

Saturday's homecoming game was one that the Redhawks would like to forget rather quickly. At halftime the Colonels led the Redhawks 24-0 and saw no great chance at a comeback.

A combined attendance of 5,171 alumni, students and parents were on hand at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau, Mo.,where they saw the Redhawks fall to 1--7 overall and 1--4 in OVC play.

EKU improved to 5-3 overall (3-1 in OVC) and continued their dominance over Southeast, winning nine of the last 10 games between the two teams.

"We really didn't envision the loss being this bad," coach Tony Samuel said. "We executed all week in practice but it didn't really show in today's game."

The lack of execution and miscues haunted Southeast all day. Their opening possession came and went as the Redhawks went three and out and were forced to punt.

EKU's 20-yard punt return set them up at the Redhawks 42-yard line. From there, the Colonels pounded the ball up the middle on three consecutive plays before freshman running back J.J. Jude ran for a 28-yard touchdown.

On offense, play was dismal for sophomore quarterback Scott Lathrop and the Redhawks.

Lathrop and the Redhawk offense could barely manage to make it into EKU territory in the first half, crossing over the 50-yard line just two times on six possessions.

The two drives that did make it into EKU territory ended when Lathrop fumbled the football both times.

"That's not like him at all," Samuel said. "Those are mistakes that shouldn't happen and could have kept us in this game."

After Lathrop's fumble, EKU traveled the length of the football field, 98 yards, before settling for a 44-yard field goal putting EKU up 10-0.

EKU put Southeast even further in the hole before halftime when junior quarterback Jared McClain found senior wide receiver Ike Ariguzo for a 45-yard touchdown pass making the score 17-0.

After another Lathrop fumble, EKU picked up the ball and turned another Lathrop miscue into points.

Facing fourth down and long, the Colonels lined up to kick a 42-yard field goal. Southeast was blind sided when the EKU holder caught the snap stood up and ran up the middle untouched for 25 yards and a trip into the end zone. EKU led 24-0.

"It caught me and everyone else off guard," Said linebacker Matt Starks. "We relaxed and didn't even see it coming."

In the second half, things settled down for EKU as they took their opening possession of the half all the way down to the Redhawks 20-yard line.

Southeast forced a fumble that was recovered by senior cornerback Cantrell Andrews on the 19-yard line, giving the Redhawks a sigh of relief and hopes of putting points on the scoreboard.

Southeast failed to score after the take away but finally got into the end zone late in the third quarter.

After driving for 56 yards, their longest drive of the game, Lathrop found a wide-open Paul McRoberts.

McRoberts, a senior wide receiver ran a flawless route down the side of the field catching a 23-yard pass from Lathrop making it a three-possession game, with EKU up 24-7.

The cheers and applause from the stands didn't last long.

EKU took their next possession just 49 yards after a short kickoff from Alex Knight. McClain tacked on another rushing touchdown from the 1-yard line.

Knight struggled all day to get the ball down field on punts and kickoffs, giving the Colonels great field position all day.

"I think the wind really messed with his kicks all day," Samuel said. "Which really worked in their favor in terms of field position."

The Redhawks never came close to scoring again, as EKU ran out the clock in the fourth quarter and rolled to a well-earned victory.

Southeast will face Urbana University next Saturday at Houck Stadium.