Southeast ready for OVC play to begin

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- As far as Southeast Missouri State University football coach Tim Billings is concerned, the Ohio Valley Conference season can't begin fast enough.

That's because the nonconference slate was not kind to the Indians. Southeast suffered its third straight whipping Saturday as Central Michigan rolled to a 44-27 victory.

The Indians' 0-3 record has been fashioned against two Division I-A opponents -- Central Michigan and Bowling Green -- and Southern Illinois, the nation's second-ranked Division I-AA team.

Southeast has been outscored 135-40, including 42-3 by SIU and 49-10 by Bowling Green. While the Indians were much more competitive Saturday, they were still overmatched, as CMU fell just two yards short of becoming the third Southeast opponent to roll up at least 500 yards. The Indians are allowing an average of nearly 518 yards per game.

The Indians play their first OVC game -- and first home game -- Saturday when Samford visits Houck Stadium.

"We're ready to get home and start conference play. That's the real season," Billings said. "But we've learned a lot and played some good football teams."

Offense comes alive

Southeast's offense, after gaining just 250 yards against SIU, showed signs of life last week against Bowling Green with 359 yards.

And the Indians' offense -- particularly their passing attack -- again was impressive Saturday with 391 yards. Southeast's 27 points were more than double what it had scored in the first two games combined.

Quarterback Andrew Goodenough completed 32 of 50 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns.

"The important thing is we've improved every week," Goodenough said.

The Indians, however, continue to struggle with their rushing attack. After gaining 87 yards on the ground Saturday, they have rushed for just 235 yards this season.

Scaife has big game

Sophomore wide receiver Antonio Scaife missed the season opener against SIU because of a team suspension, and he did not catch a pass last week against Bowling Green.

But Scaife, who showed plenty of promise last year as a true freshman, caught six passes Saturday for 98 yards. He also returned kickoffs and punts.

"I made a couple of key catches and a couple of errors on special teams, but it was just good to be in the game," Scaife said.

Tailback David Taufoou scored three of Southeast's four touchdowns, on receptions of 28 and 5 yards, and on a 1-yard run. He was the Indians' leading rusher with 62 yards on 11 carries, and he also caught seven passes for 42 yards.

"I think the key thing is for us to stay consistent," Taufoou said. "If we don't have mental errors, I think we can move the ball on anybody."

Tight end Ray Goodson caught seven passes for 104 yards. Tailback Jamel Oliver had six receptions, although for just 12 yards.

Special teams not special

Billings has touted Southeast's special teams as one of the strengths of the squad, and placekicker Derek Kutz and punter David Simonhoff have been solid so far.

But, for the second time in two weeks, Southeast allowed a punt return for a touchdown as Damien Linson scampered 66 yards to the end zone late in the third quarter Saturday.

The Indians also had an extra point blocked, marking the first PAT miss by Kutz since the 2002 season. Kutz was perfect on 30 attempts last year and had made his only PAT of this season entering Saturday's game.

"Our kicking game so far this year is the worst it's been since I've been here," Billings said.