Just Got Called Out!

I just got called out by a co-worker for slacking on my blog updates.  I believe the quote was "Dude, you need to blog more."
Thanks for giving me a kick in the pants...It was needed!

Weather you are SEMO fan or not you have to admit (for years) the Southeast football program has been in desperate need of a day like the one they enjoyed last Thursday night at Houck Stadium.

• 72 Points 
• 512 Yards of offense
• 282 Rushing yards
• 230 Passing yards
• 26 First downs
• 0 Turnovers

More importantly the Redhawks get a victory and accomplish what a team is supposed to do when playing an inferior opponent...Dominate in every facet of the game. We have't witnessed that in a long time, in fact, I can't say I have ever watched a SEMO football team totally outplay another. The atmosphere at Houck that night is something I hope we experience more often this season.

As a former football player I can relate to Quincy's plight. I have been on the receiving end of a football beating. I played varsity all four years of high school but didn't taste a victory until the fourth week of my junior season...0-23 before we won a game. Those were three brutal years!

Back to the Redhawks...

The school, the program, SEMO nation and anyone with a connection (no matter how small) to Southeast Missouri State University needs something to rally behind. It would be a nice lift to school spirit & community pride after the punch-to-the-gut from SEMO men's basketball.

I really hope this is the year the program turns the corner and heads down the road to success. Now I'll be selfish - As a member of the media it's tough to cover a losing team. Everyone loves a winner.

UTM Football - Receiving National Attention

Ok...another noteworthy news nugget a day late...Sorry! I've had a lot of e-mails and press releases to get through since coming back from vacation.

This great news...UT Martin football receiving national recognition. good to see the program continuing to improve. Not long ago (like SIU Carbondale) they were the doormat of 1-AA Football.

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MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawk football team was ranked among the top 20 in the nation in two preseason football publications. Athlon
Sports 2009 Preview has the Skyhawks picked 20th in the Football Championship Subdivision, while The Kickoff College Football 2009 Preview ranked the Skyhawks No. 17 in the nation.

Athlon calls the Skyhawks the 2008 surprise team in the OVC and “they won’t sneak up on anybody in 2009. Quarterback Cade Thompson directs a veteran offense.”

The Sporting News College Football Preview does not have the Skyhawks ranked among the Top 25 teams in its preseason poll, but has the Skyhawks tabbed second in the Ohio Valley Conference behind Jacksonville State. The magazine has Jacksonville State picked 24th in the nation, while defending FCS National Champion Richmond is the preseason No. 1 selection. Appalachian State is No. 2, while Villanova is picked third.

The Skyhawks return eight offensive starters including Thompson and wide receiver Mike Hicks. Both players earned All-OVC honors in 2008.

Thompson completed 190-of-329 passes for 2, 680 yards and 24 touchdowns. He completed 57.8 percent of his attempts and averaged 233 yards of passing per game. His passing efficiency was the 25th best in the nation.

Hicks led the Skyhawks with 66 catches for 894 yards and 12 touchdowns. He averaged 13.5 yards per catch and was ranked among the top 40 in the nation in receptions per game and receiving yards per game.

The Skyhawks open their 2009 season Thursday, Sept. 3 when they host Iowa Wesleyan at Hardy M. Graham Stadium on campus. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.