Southeast tops last year's first-quarter point output

~ The Redhawks corrected 2008's season-long problem with 28 points in opener

The 2008 Southeast Missouri State football season was marked by slow starts as the Redhawks were outscored 103-13 in the first quarter.

For one night at least, the Redhawks reversed that trend in a big way.

Southeast put up 28 first-quarter points during Thursday's 72-3 season-opening destruction of NAIA Quincy.

"It was great to go ahead and jump on somebody, to not have to look back," senior wide receiver Walter Peoples said.

Sophomore quarterback Matt Scheible, who started two games last year, said the 2009 Redhawks are focused on getting started faster.

"We had trouble last year scoring in the first quarter," Scheible said. "We want to make sure we get off to better starts."

The Redhawks were able to take care of a lower-division opponent early and with ease in their opener, unlike last year when they needed a late rally to beat Division II Southwest Baptist 35-28 in overtime.

"We didn't want anything like that happening again," Peoples said.

Peiffer plays plenty

Southeast coach Tony Samuel was planning to play true freshman linebacker Blake Peiffer some anyway, but the lopsided contest allowed Peiffer plenty of action.

Peiffer, a Jackson High School product, got on the field in the second quarter and then played much of the second half.

Peiffer tied for the Redhawks' second-most tackles with nine, according to press box statistics.

"I was rotating in with the Nos. 2 and 3 the whole second half and a lot of the second quarter," Peiffer said. "The first couple of series, I had to get used to everything, but after that I was fine."

Two other local products also made their Southeast debuts in reserve roles.

Redshirt freshman defensive end Antonio Garritano from Jackson was credited with two tackles, including one for loss.

Sophomore defensive tackle Jason Mercer, a walk-on from Cape Girardeau Central in his first season with the program, also made two tackles.

Defensive leaders

Junior linebacker Justin Woodlief, a walk-on at Division I-A San Jose State last year, led the Redhawks with 10 tackles.

Junior linebacker Joshua Jackson matched Peiffer with nine tackles.

In addition to junior linebacker Tyler Epstein's interception return for a touchdown, senior cornerback William Castro picked off a pass.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Darrick Borum recovered a fumble, while junior defensive tackles Errick Aliifua and J.J. Sanchez recorded quarterback sacks.

Cincinnati up next

The Redhawks return to action Sept. 12 when they visit Division I-A Cincinnati for their annual "money" game. Southeast's athletic department will receive $275,000.

Defending Big East Conference champion Cincinnati, which played in the Orange Bowl last year, opens its season Monday against Big East rival Rutgers.