Holloman happy to still be a 'Hawk

~ Off-field problems nearly ended the running back's days at Southeast.

Tim Holloman acknowledges there was a time when he thought he might never play football for Southeast Missouri State again -- or even attend the university again, for that matter.

But Holloman had faith that things would work out -- and now the Redhawks' tailback is ready to build on his impressive freshman season.

"I'm pretty excited," said the soft-spoken Holloman during Friday's media day at Houck Stadium. "I think we can do a lot of good things this year."

Holloman, the Redhawks' leading rusher last year with 688 yards, had his Southeast future placed in jeopardy when he was barred from campus in mid-December. That came after he and two other Southeast football players, along with a former player, were charged with misdemeanors for allegedly assaulting two students during an off-campus fraternity party.

Holloman was determined to not only prove his innocence but also return to Southeast. The latter happened in January, when he was reinstated to the university for the second semester.

And Holloman felt vindicated a few weeks later when charges against him were dropped. Charges against the other two players were also dropped, although they did not return to Southeast.

"It was frustrating, but I had faith that everything would work out. I left it in God's hands," Holloman said. "I was pretty worried that I might not get to come back, but I'm glad it turned out the way it did."

So is Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman, who said at the time, "We think Timmy is basically a pretty good guy. It was probably a case where he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, but we're glad he's back."

Holloman said what he went through has taught him to be more aware that, as a college athlete, he has to perhaps operate under more of a microscope than the average student.

"Yeah, I'll probably be more cautious, watch what I do at all times," he said. "There are certain things I can and can't do."

What Holloman showed he could do on the football field last year was tear through opposing defenses when given the opportunity.

Holloman, from Orlando, Fla., came to Southeast thinking he might redshirt. But that was not an option after starting tailback Austen Collins suffered a serious leg injury on the first play of the season opener.

"When Austen got hurt, they [the coaches] said there goes the redshirt," Holloman said.

Holloman saw only limited action in Southeast's first four games, but he became the Redhawks' feature back the rest of the season.

Over the final seven games, Holloman rushed for 638 yards. During a two-week span in October, he gained 155 yards and scored four touchdowns against Eastern Kentucky, then followed that performance with 181 yards and two touchdowns against Murray State.

Holloman, who averaged 4.8 yards per carry for the season, also led the Redhawks in touchdowns with 10. He was selected to the Ohio Valley Conference all-freshmen team.

"I was surprised how much I played and how well I did," said Holloman, who also caught 30 passes out of the backfield. "It was a big eye-opener, but when I got the opportunity, I ran with it."

Holloman admits to being unusually frail-looking for a running back, although he said he has added about 10 pounds to his 6-foot frame. He now weighs about 190 pounds.

"I put on some weight, and I think I also got a little faster," said Holloman, who lists his main attributes as vision and speed.

After being somewhat shorthanded at running back last season, the Redhawks appear well-stocked in that area now.

Although Collins is no longer with the program, the second- and third-leading rushers from last year are back in Elton Peterson and John Radney. Radney, big and fast, could prove especially important after being plagued by injuries much of 2005.

New Mexico State transfer Clint Jones and Tony Anderson, a heralded freshman last year who redshirted, add even more potential to the backfield.

"We've got a lot of good running backs," Holloman said.

Said first-year Southeast head coach Tony Samuel, "He [Holloman] has a chance to be pretty good. We have some guys, they all bring different things. I think that can be a good position for us."

Holloman said his personal goals for this season include breaking 1,000 yards, scoring more than 12 touchdowns and "just being a really good team player."

Holloman figures that, if he performs well, then team success could follow as the Redhawks try to improve dramatically on last year's 2-9 record.

"I feel really good about the new coaches and the team," he said. "I think we're going to do a lot better this year."