After rough offensive performance, Redhawks face uncertainty

Southeast Missouri State had the Ohio Valley Conference's worst offense last season, averaging a league-low 253.9 yards per game.

A large part of that was due to a futile passing attack that averaged 116 yards a contest and completed a conference-worst 48.4 of its attempts. The Redhawks also threw eight touchdown passes, tied for worst in the OVC.

Second-year Southeast head coach Tony Samuel plans on improving that production considerably even though none of his quarterbacks has ever taken a snap higher than the junior college level.

As this section went to press, Samuel had not decided who his primary quarterback would be -- or even if he would have a clear-cut No. 1 signal caller.

But Samuel professes confidence about a position that could very well hold the key to the Redhawks' chances of significant offensive improvement.

Junior running back Tim Holloman has led Southeast in rushing the last two seasons. (Southeast Missourian file)

Juniors Victor Anderson and Houston Lillard are in a neck-and-neck battle for the starting quarterback position. They could end up splitting time all season, and will certainly do that at least for the opening game.

"We are in great shape," Samuel said of the quarterback spot. "Both guys are doing well."

As for the offense overall -- the Redhawks averaged 18.5 points per game, which ranked sixth in what was then a nine-team OVC -- Samuel knows the unit will be relatively green, but that's the same for his entire squad.

"We've got some key guys back, but also a lot of new guys," he said. "We'll have a new quarterback, and all our receivers are new.

"But we've got some ability there. I think we'll be a better offense."

A position-by-position look at Southeast's offense:

Quarterback

Although neither Anderson nor Lillard has officially played at a level higher than junior college, the juniors do have some experience with the Redhawks' program.

Anderson arrived on campus in January and participated in spring practice, while Lillard was at Southeast all of last school year but never played a down for the 2006 Redhawks as a right knee that had been giving him trouble in junior college required surgery.

Lillard passed for more than 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns at Laney (Calif.) Community College two years ago, while Anderson passed for 800 yards and rushed for 300 yards last season as he split time at Mesa (Ariz.) Community College.

Anderson and Lillard are both considered to be good scramblers and accurate passers.

Samuel also praised the preseason work of Southeast's other two quarterbacks, walk-on redshirt freshman Steve Callanan and true freshman Jared Van Slyke, who will likely redshirt.

Running back

This is easily the most experienced offensive position for the Redhawks as last year's leading rusher and leading pass-catcher return.

Junior tailback Tim Holloman has been Southeast's top ground-gainer the past two seasons, netting more than 1,300 yards.

Last year Holloman gained 653 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. He also tied for the team touchdown lead with six.

"We're looking for big things from Tim," Samuel said.

Senior fullback Clint Jones rushed for 59 yards on 12 carries, but he led the Redhawks in receptions with 23, although those catches netted just 80 yards.

Redshirt freshman Sterling Hardin is listed as Holloman's backup, while senior Elton Peterson and several freshmen could also see action at tailback.

Peterson, primarily used as a kick returner last year, was granted a fifth year of eligibility by the NCAA as a redshirt dating back to his freshman season in 2003, when he saw only brief action in two games. Peterson must sit out the first two games of this year as part of the redshirt.

Sophomore Nick Grassi saw considerable action last year backing up Jones at fullback and again figures to see plenty of playing time. True freshman Nathan Grass from Ste. Genevieve could also figure into the mix at fullback.

Wide receiver

Graduation totally gutted this position as every wideout who caught a pass last season has moved on.

But Samuel said he still likes the potential of this group.

Listed as the starters are junior college transfer Vincent Anderson -- Victor's twin brother -- and true freshman Miles Edwards.

Junior Michael Williamson and sophomore Brad Stewart, two returning squad members, could see increased roles after seeing little collegiate action so far.

Junior college transfer Daryl Gist and several other freshmen also figure into the mix.

Tight end

Big, athletic senior Joseph Tuineau will be looking to recapture his sophomore form, after battling injuries much of last season.

The 6-foot-8, 280-pound Tuineau caught just six passes for 63 yards a year ago, after he had 25 receptions for 305 yards in 2005 to earn second-team all-OVC honors.

Junior college transfer Ben Gugler also figures to see considerable action at this spot.

Line

The Redhawks have considerable size and some experience at these positions.

Senior tackle Francisco Perez (6-4, 305) returns for his fourth season as a starter as he anchors the line.

Junior Matt James (6-5, 320) from Jackson High School and redshirt freshman Sean Middleton (6-3, 305) are slated to open the season at guard.

Sophomore Jaunell Pugh (6-3, 250) is penciled in at center after seeing limited action a year ago. Pugh was converted from the defensive line midway through last season.

The other tackle spot will be manned by sophomore Paul McGuire (6-4, 325), who sat out last season under NCAA transfer rules. The son of Southeast defensive coordinator Tim McGuire started as a freshman at Indiana State in 2005.

Returning starter Clayton Caron (6-0, 285) figures to see plenty of time up front, while several large true freshmen -- led by Miles Stroter (6-6, 345), John Schuller (6-4, 310) and Kevin Novacich (6-2, 330) -- could also receive action.

Kicker

Southeast will break in a new person for field goals and extra points -- at least to start the season -- after junior Colin Schermann suffered a skull fracture after falling off a ladder just before the start of practice.

Schermann, who has not yet started practicing, was the Redhawks' kicker the last two seasons, including a first-team all-OVC campaign in 2005.

Schermann, a Cape Girardeau Central High School graduate, certainly will miss the season's first few games and there is no guarantee he will return at all this year.

Replacing Schermann will be sophomore Doug Spada, who handled the kickoff duties last year and led the OVC with 15 touchbacks. Spada will also punt for the Redhawks.