Southeast football preview: Redhawks aim to improve on third down

Southeast Missouri State improved some of its major defensive statistics last season for the third straight year, but one deficiency stood out to coach Tony Samuel.

The Redhawks allowed opposing offenses to convert a staggering 51 percent of their third downs, which ranked last in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Getting better in that area was a big emphasis during fall camp as the Redhawks try to turn around last year's 2-9 record.

"We want to get a vast improvement on third down," Samuel said.

Accomplishing that likely would help Southeast's defense cut down on its average of giving up 387.6 yards per game, which also was last in the OVC.

Southeast returns seven defensive starters, including senior linebacker Justin Woodlief, the OVC's No. 2 returning tackler.

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

Line

Senior nose tackle J.J. Sanchez, a preseason all-OVC selection, recorded 46 tackles last season, tops among all Southeast down linemen. He ranked fourth on the team in sacks (1.5) and fifth in tackles for loss (4.5) while leading with five quarterback hurries.

Senior tackle Maurice Lyles, a run stuffer listed at 300 pounds, started all 11 games last year. He had 29 tackles and a sack while leading the team and tying for second in the OVC with three fumble recoveries.

Sophomore end Justin Love is coming off a strong true freshman season that saw him record 30 tackles and rank third on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss. He added a sack.

Junior Steve Hendry, who saw limited action last year when he had five tackles, is projected as the other end starter.

Senior tackle Josh Gipson saw significant playing time in 2009, recording 21 tackles while ranking third on the squad in sacks with two and tackles for loss with five. He also recovered a fumble and tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles.

Other returning linemen with limited experience are junior end Courtney Brame and sophomore tackle Colt McCauley, who also will play some offensive line. They had five and four tackles, respectively, last year.

True freshmen Trent Peterson and Charles Tillman, along with redshirt freshman Frankie Davis, also are expected to see action up front.

Linebacker

Woodlief led the Redhawks with 93 tackles, which ranked fourth in the OVC, and made the OVC's all-newcomer squad in his first season after transferring to Southeast. He also had two tackles for loss and an interception while tying for the team led with five pass breakups.

Junior Philip Klaproth, who started the last two years, tied for third in tackles in 2009 with 66. He had an interception.

Senior Joshua Jackson came on strong last season, ranking as Southeast's sixth-leading tackler with 53 while adding two tackles for loss. He had 22 tackles in the final two games.

Sophomore Blake Peiffer, from Jackson High School, saw considerable action as a true freshman and had 32 tackles along with a fumble recovery.

Senior Andrew Adams, who had eight tackles while primarily playing on special teams last year, also will see plenty of action.

Among others battling for playing time are sophomore Darrick Borum, who had two tackles last season, and true freshmen David Smart and Wisler Ymonice.

Secondary

This area has taken some hits as both starting cornerbacks graduated and starting senior free safety Bryan Blanfort will miss the season with a knee injury.

Seniors Abraham Woodard and Aaron Grimes, who have not started a game in their Southeast careers, are slated to take over at cornerback. Woodard had 11 tackles last year while Grimes recorded eight tackles.

Sophomore Tylor Brock is penciled in to take over for Blanfort. He saw considerable action as a true freshman, recording 11 tackles.

Another player with experience at free safety is sophomore Branden Spann, who had five tackles last year.

Senior Aris Bowen returns at the strong safety/rover position after starting eight games last year. He was fifth on the squad with 65 tackles. His two interceptions tied for second on the team and his five pass breakups tied for first. He also had 2.5 tackles for loss.

Senior strong safety/rover Taylor West had 11 tackles last year, while junior Kris Cottner, from Perryville High School, is battling for playing time at a safety spot after primarily playing on special teams a year ago when he had three tackles.

Among others figuring to see action at cornerback are junior college transfers Jaren Butler and Kweku Arkorful.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter

Sophomore Drew Geldbach, who redshirted last year, and Kent State transfer Joe Vucic, a redshirt freshman, are battling for the position. Vucic was No. 1 on the most recent depth chart.

Geldbach and Vucic both have no collegiate experience as they try to replace All-American Doug Spada.

Kicker

There is no experience here as sophomore Drew Geldbach, who redshirted last year, and Kent State transfer Joe Vucic, a redshirt freshman, are battling for the position. Geldbach was No. 1 on the most recent depth chart.

Returns

Touted true freshman Spencer Davis was expected to handle all the returns but he will miss the season with a knee injury.

Henry Harris and senior Abraham Woodard have return experience and will be among those called upon to assume the role.