Redhawks avoid shutout, injuries

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- At least Southeast Missouri State was able to avoid a second consecutive shutout.

And the Redhawks also appeared to come out of the game relatively injury-free, save for the assorted bumps and bruises one would associate with playing a nationally ranked Division I-A opponent.

Those were some of the positives Southeast can probably draw from Saturday's 63-7 pounding at the hands of No. 17 Arkansas.

After suffering its first shutout since 2001 last week when Southeast lost 21-0 at Ohio Valley Conference squad Eastern Illinois, the Redhawks made sure a repeat would not happen by scoring late in the third quarter.

John Radney's 8-yard touchdown run with 5:02 remaining in the period -- set up by Kevin Ballatore's 44-yard pass to Brandon Simpson -- completed an 84-yard drive and cut the Razorbacks' lead to 49-7.

"I thought it was real important that we score," said Radney, who leads Southeast with five touchdowns.

The Redhawks had actually gone eight quarters without a point, dating back to a scoreless second half of a 19-14 OVC win over Samford on Sept. 30.

"It was great to score for pride, to show even though we're down, we won't back down," wide receiver Oge Oge said. "It's something to build on."

Southeast coach Tony Samuel was pleased that the Redhawks appeared to avoid any significant injuries.

"I think we did," Samuel said. "We'll get the report from the trainers, but I don't remember seeing anything major happen."

Statistically speaking

For the first time this season, fullback Clint Jones was Southeast's leading rusher as he gained 29 yards on four carries, most of that coming on a 23-yard run.

Jones entered the game with 23 yards on five attempts all season.

Counting sacks and losses, the Redhawks rushed for just 31 yards on 23 attempts. Tailback Tim Holloman was held out because of an ankle injury, but he should be ready for Saturday's OVC game against Eastern Kentucky.

Markus Mosley started at quarterback for the first time this season, although normal starter Ballatore played the majority of the game.

Ballatore completed just 8 of 28 passes for 108 yards, with two interceptions. Mosley was 1 of 4 for 5 yards.

"We just thought he [Mosley] deserved a shot," Samuel said. "He got nicked up a little bit and Ballatore finished out the game. We've only got two quarterbacks."

Oge was Southeast's leading receiver, catching three passes for 48 yards.

Southeast had just 144 total yards compared to 530 for Arkansas, which rushed for 381 yards.

All-American punter David Simonhoff averaged 45.1 yards on seven attempts, including a season-long 75-yarder.