Southeast prepares for OVC opener

Now that the Southeast Missouri State football team has gotten its annual money game out of the way, the Redhawks can start concentrating on what counts the most.

I'm talking about Ohio Valley Conference play, which begins Saturday when the Redhawks visit Murray State in the OVC's lone league matchup during the season's opening two weeks.

The Redhawks had a solid showing in their season opener, Thursday's 27-10 loss at Division I-A Ball State, as they were tied 7-7 at halftime before the Cardinals took control with a 17-0 third-quarter advantage.

I'm not sure what the performance will mean for the rest of the season because I don't know how good Ball State is -- the Cardinals went 2-10 last year -- but at least Southeast gave a good account of itself.

Now the Redhawks have a chance to get off to a quick OVC start.

Considering the tough early stretch the Redhawks face, it almost seems imperative that they open with a conference victory.

Not to dismiss Murray State, but the Racers are rebuilding with a new coach and were picked to finish last in the nine-team OVC. They were routed by Southeast 49-13 for the Redhawks' only league victory of 2009.

After facing Murray State, Southeast plays its third straight road game Sept. 18 at Division I-AA power Southern Illinois.

Then comes the Sept. 25 home opener against OVC opponent Tennessee Tech, projected by many as a darkhorse conference contender, followed by another road test Oct. 2 against Eastern Illinois, the defending OVC champion.

That's a rugged five-game opening stretch.

Murray State is unquestionably, on paper, the weakest of the bunch, something the Redhawks need to take advantage of.

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OVC football doesn't get much respect, which is not surprising since a team from the conference hasn't won a playoff game in so long.

But if not respect, the OVC at least received plenty of attention after Jacksonville State's stunning 49-48 double-overtime win Saturday at Mississippi.

The upset was played up big on ESPN all weekend and is sure to continue getting talked about this week.

Jacksonville State's win was the OVC's first victory over a Division I-A opponent since 2004, a span of 51 games.

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Former Southeast assistant men's basketball coach Tom Schuberth is back in the OVC.

Schuberth resigned last week as coach at Paris (Texas) Junior College to become an assistant at Jacksonville State.

Schuberth was Gary Garner's chief recruiter during Garner's first four seasons at Southeast (1997-98 through 2000-01), when the team went 76-41, including a 24-7 mark in 1999-2000 that featured the program's only OVC title and NCAA DIvision I tournament berth.

Schuberth was a fan favorite in Cape Girardeau, and I'm sure Southeast supporters are looking forward to seeing him back at the Show Me Center this season.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.