EKU brings four-game win streak to Houck

Defending Ohio Valley Conference football champion Eastern Kentucky got off to a slow start this season.

But there has been nothing slow about the Colonels' play entering today's 1 p.m. game at Southeast Missouri State.

The Colonels (5-3, 4-1 OVC) will put a four-game winning streak on the line against the Redhawks (3-5, 1-3).

"You've got a great team coming in here," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said.

Dean Hood attributes the Colonels' early struggles to several factors, including that he is in his first year as EKU's coach.

"New coach, new scheme, they had to transition through all that and we had to learn the kids," said Hood, an EKU assistant from 1994 through 1998 who most recently served as the defensive coordinator at Wake Forest.

The Colonels struggled past non-scholarship program Morehead State by eight points in week three, followed by a 14-point loss at Tennessee State in their OVC opener.

"We were sitting there 2-3, but it felt like 0-5," Hood said. "Our kids didn't blame anybody. I think that hanging together helped us through it."

It didn't help matters that senior quarterback Allan Holland, the reigning OVC offensive player of the year, has been banged up for much of the season.

Holland has gotten healthier and so have the Colonels.

EKU's winning streak began with an overtime escape against Austin Peay, but since then the Colonels have been impressive.

EKU beat preseason OVC favorite Jacksonville State and perennial conference power Eastern Illinois in its past two games.

"I think we've just been blessed with some good breaks and some good kids who hung in there through some tough times," Hood said. "I think the adversity made us better."

The Colonels, who are in second place in the OVC but tied for first on the loss side, have posted 30 consecutive winning seasons, the longest active streak in Division I-AA.

But it's doubtful Southeast will be in awe of tradition-rich EKU after the Redhawks posted one of the program's biggest wins last week since moving up to Division I-AA in 1991.

Southeast stunned nationally ranked Tennessee State 27-20 in overtime last week, rallying from a 17-3 halftime deficit on homecoming.

"Hopefully this game shows what our potential is," senior quarterback Houston Lillard said.

Southeast's victory over what had been the OVC's only remaining squad without a league loss made Hood take notice.

"Talk about a team that's improving. They've gotten better week to week," Hood said. "Talk about a team that's hung in there. ... It paid off with a win over the best team in the conference."

EKU has thrived with a stout defense that has feasted on turnovers and an offense that has limited its mistakes.

The Colonels have created at least three turnovers in five of their last six games. Their 19 turnovers forced lead the OVC and are tied for 14th nationally.

EKU also has committed the fewest turnovers in the OVC -- 10 -- for an impressive plus-nine turnover margin that is first in the league and tied for eighth nationally.

In their five OVC games, the Colonels are plus-nine with 15 turnovers forced to six lost.

EKU also leads the OVC in quarterback sacks during conference play with 12.

Southeast, thanks to three interceptions and no lost turnovers against Tennessee State, also is solid in the turnover margin department.

The Redhawks are plus-two in turnover margin on the season, but plus-four in OVC play, which is tied for second in the league.

"Turnovers are always big," Samuel said.

EKU has held opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in three straight games. The Colonels lead the league in scoring defense during conference play at 19.6 points per contest.

"They're always good on defense," Samuel said.

Offensively for the Colonels, Samuel said the key is Holland, a former Wake Forest transfer whose 4,058 career passing yards rank third in EKU history.

"Their quarterback is healthy again," Samuel said. "I think he's a difference maker to that team. Couple him with that defense ..."

It all means the Redhawks face another major challenge against an opponent they have beaten just twice in 18 meetings -- most recently in 2003 -- and never at Houck Stadium.

Noteworthy

• As part of the Take a Kid to the Game promotion, children 14 and younger will be admitted free to today's contest.