Samuel has upbeat words on freshmen after blowout

~ A group of true freshmen saw considerable playing time against Arkansas.

Southeast Missouri State had been playing quite a few true freshmen all season, particularly on defense.

But Saturday's game at Division I-A Arkansas afforded the rookies even more of an opportunity than normal, primarily in the second half as most of the Redhawks' key defensive players rested during a 63-7 loss.

What Southeast coach Tony Samuel saw -- in addition to what he has witnessed much of the year -- backed up his belief that he and his staff's first class of freshmen recruits includes some future stars.

"It's a very good group," Samuel said during his weekly media briefing Monday. "We have to play some because of necessity, but some have also stepped up."

One of the freshmen, cornerback Todshon Jones, has been a starter virtually all season and leads the Redhawks in interceptions with two.

Other freshmen -- like linebackers Patrick Maloney and Joshua Jackson, safeties Marvin Anderson and Walter Peoples, cornerback Salim Powell and fullback Nick Grassi -- have served as backups.

But the contest at 15th-ranked Arkansas afforded some freshmen who had not been seeing all that much action considerable playing time.

One of those, linebacker Jared Goodson, wound up leading the Redhawks in tackles with 10. It was just Goodson's second collegiate game, as Southeast's coaching staff decided only recently not to redshirt him.

"He made a lot of plays. He let us know he's a playmaker," Samuel said. "He has great speed and acceleration. He has a bright future."

Samuel did point out that Goodson made his share of mistakes, as one would expect from a player so raw.

"He was out of position a lot of times," Samuel said. "He's young, but he's very athletic."

Samuel also praised the play of Powell, who was credited with five tackles. Earlier this year, Powell intercepted a pass.

"He did a very good job," Samuel said.

Anderson was second on the team in tackles against Arkansas with six, while linebacker Leon Hill had five, including the Redhawks' lone quarterback sack.

"It was a great experience for the young guys," Samuel said. "Actually, some showed us that we can play them more."

Getting healthier

After apparently escaping the Arkansas game relatively injury-free, the Redhawks (3-3, 1-2 Ohio Valley Conference) could be as healthy as they have been since early in the season, as three key starters appear to have a solid chance of returning to the lineup for Saturday's 1 p.m. homecoming game against Eastern Kentucky (2-5, 1-3).

Right tackle Francisco Perez has missed the past four games with a broken foot, while left guard Austin Russell has missed the past three games because of problems stemming from a concussion, although he did long snap the last two weeks.

Samuel said Perez and Russell were both cleared to play at Arkansas, but the coach felt it was best to give them an additional week off, although Russell did long snap.

"Lines are so important," Samuel said. "Hopefully we'll get them all back and up to speed."

Tailback Tim Holloman, Southeast's leading rusher last year who also led the Redhawks through the early part of this season, has basically missed the past three games with a sprained ankle, although he did play briefly two weeks ago at Eastern Illinois.

Holloman was also cleared to play at Arkansas, but Samuel didn't want to risk Holloman perhaps tweaking the ankle again.

"When you get a high ankle sprain, boy, you've got to be smart about those things," Samuel said.

But Samuel said Holloman will definitely play against Eastern Kentucky -- the team he had his breakout performance against as a true freshman last year, rushing for 155 yards and scoring four touchdowns.

Noteworthy

* Despite not having a quarterback sack for the first time all season at Arkansas, senior defensive end Edgar Jones continues to rank first nationally in Division I-AA in that department. He has nine sacks. Jones is also third in tackles for loss with 11.

* Even though he averaged 45.1 yards per punt at Arkansas, senior All-American David Simonhoff dropped out of the national lead. His 45.06 average is now third in Division I-AA, behind Buck Ackley of Southern (45.67) and Michael Hanna of Gardner-Webb (45.62).