SEMO prepares for rival SIU

Saturday SEMO hosts rival SIU at newly renovated Houck Stadium.  The Salukis enter ranked #17 and looking for a bit of revenge after falling to Southeast last season in Carbondale.

You can watch the game live on WQWQ The Heartlands CW or streaming live at www.kfvs12.com.

SIU @ SEMO Football game to air on WQWQ

Good news for SIU / SEMO football fans not able to attend the season opener Saturday September 3rd. The game will air live on The Heartlands CW (WQWQ) beginning at 6:00 pm.

For those not able to get WQWQ the game is also available streaming live at www.kfvs12.com.

KFVS 12 Webcast link

Where to find the Heartlands CW

Redhawks land on red turf for practice

[written Friday night but forgot to actually post]

Just got back from shooting some of the SEMO practice at Roos Field. Some of the players and coaches I talked with thought the field would be much brighter.  The team was loose for the brief work out, some of the guys channeled their inner child and jumped into the huge mounds of snow.

It was brutally cold. Official temperature at practice was 26 with a NE wind at 10 mph making it feel like 17 degrees.  Perfect football weather... If you are a polar bear.

Playing on a red field makes the uniform choice of each team a bit more relevant.  I was told the Redhawks will wear white on black with red helmets and Eastern Washington will probably go with red on red.

I don't envy SEMO QB Matt Scheilble who will have to try and spot the Eagles defenders as they blend into the field.

FCS Football Bracket Projection (11-14-10)

By all accounts it appears the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks will be awarded a spot in the upcoming FCS Playoffs after finishing 9-2.  SEMO can still win the OVC automatic bid should Jacksonville State lose its final regular season game next week.

The Sports Network released FCS bracket projection over the weekend and put the Redhawks on the road against Missouri Valley Conference champion Northern Iowa.

FCS Football Bracket Projection (11-14-10)

The FCS Playoff selection show is scheduled for 9:00 am Sunday November 21st. It will be aired on ESPNU.

Postgame wrap - SEMO vs Jacksonville State

Hope you were able to watch the SEMO / Jacksonville State game (if not the game is archived on the KFVS Webcast page).

Following the game Todd Richards talked with QB Mat Scheible and RB Henry Harris.

Door open for Michael Porter to become a Redhawk

Nothing like starting the week with potentially great new for Southeast Missouri State.

Former Sikeston high school basketball star Michael Porter has been released from his scholarship at Missouri State and is free to transfer.

Wouldn't it be great to see him playing for the Redhawks? It sure would help bring fans into the Show-Me-Center for games.

Porter signed with Missouri State out of high school but suffered through an injury plagued freshman season. He was limited to only six games scoring just 23 points ans pulling down 13 rebounds. He dealt with a hamstring issue, emergency appendectomy surgery in November and hip surgery following a car accident in June.

By Rick Kindhart
Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications Missouri State Univeristy

SPRINGFIELD - Missouri State men's basketball coach Cuonzo Martin announced Monday that forward Michael Porter requested and was granted a release from his scholarship.

The redshirt freshman from Sikeston, Mo., cited personal reasons for ending his association with the Bears. His announcement comes just over two months after a serious, single-car accident hospitalized him on June 9, putting his playing future in jeopardy.

"Tomorrow is never promised," Porter said. "The past few months have helped me prioritize things in my life. Whether or not I am able to play basketball again, I want to stay close to home. I love the Missouri State program, but I have a son now, and being a father figure is more important than ever."

Martin said he respects Porter's decision and appreciates his hard work while with the program.

"We wish Mike the best and respect where his priorities are," Martin said. "He has been through a lot this year, and we are grateful for his contributions."

Porter's roller coaster ride of a freshman season also included an emergency appendectomy and a torn hamstring that forced him to miss all but six games, ultimately earning him a medical redshirt. He averaged 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in a reserve role that saw him average just over 11 minutes per contest. He scored a team-high 16 points in the team's 75-62 road win at Arkansas Little Rock on December 2, and notched five rebounds against Air Force at JQH Arena on December 5.

Despite the trials and tribulations that led him to making what he calls ''the most difficult decision'' of his life, Porter says he would not change a thing about his involvement with the Missouri State program.

"Coach Martin is the best coach I have ever had," Porter said. "I owe so much to him and the staff, to my teammates, and to the great fans at Missouri State. I will always be a Bear. With or without me, Missouri State is going to have a great season, and I wish nothing but the best for the team."

Porter said he plans on continuing his education at Southeast Missouri State this fall. Southeast is located about 35 miles north of Sikeston in Cape Girardeau. He also said he plans to take his physical recovery from the accident very slow and rates the chances of ever playing basketball again at 50-50.

"I love the game, and it would be hard to walk away," Porter explained. "That's why I am taking everything very slow."

The Bears are in the process of finalizing their 2010-11 non-conference schedule, which should be available in the next couple of weeks. Martin begins his third season at the helm of the Bears who finished last season with a 24-12 overall record after winning the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.

2010 OVC Softball Tournament Is set

The 2010 OVC Softball Tournament is locked in and ready to roll but there is one problem... For only the third time this decade Lana Richmond's SEMO Redhawks did not qualify. They failed to make the tournament field in '07, '08 and 2010.

SEMO last won a OVC Tournament Title in 1999 advancing to Tuscon, AZ to play in the NCAA Tournament. The Redhawks finished with a record of 2-1.

1999 Tucson, AZ
Game 1 - Kansas 5, Southeast Missouri 1
Game 2 - Southeast Missouri 2, East Carolina
Game 3 - Kansas 3, Southeast Missouri 1


BRENTWOOD, TN (OVC) - The 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Softball Tournament field is set. UT Martin earned the top seed and the right to host the three-day event that will take place May 13-15. Jacksonville State earned the No. 2 seed and along with the Skyhawks will receive a first-round bye. Morehead State is the third seed followed by Eastern Illinois, Murray State and Tennessee Tech.

Tournament action is set to begin on Thursday with the first game getting underway at 11:00 a.m. CT. The entire tourney will be available on OVCSports.TV.

2010 Ohio Valley Conference Softball Tournament Schedule

Thursday, May 13
Game 1 - #3 Morehead State vs. #6 Tennessee Tech – 11:00 a.m.
Game 2 - #4 Eastern Illinois vs. #5 Murray State – 1:30 p.m.
Game 3 - #2 Jacksonville State vs. Game 1 winner – 4:00 p.m.
Game 4 - #1 UT Martin vs. Game 2 winner – 6:30 p.m.

Friday, May 14
Game 5 – Game 2 loser vs. Game 3 loser – 11:00 a.m.
Game 6 – Game 1 loser vs. Game 4 loser – 1:30 p.m.
Game 7 – Game 4 winner vs. Game 3 winner – 4:00 p.m.
Game 8 – Game 6 winner vs. Game 5 winner – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 15
Game 9 – Game 7 loser vs. Game 8 winner – 11:00 a.m.
Game 10 – Game 7 winner vs. Game 9 winner – 1:30 p.m.
(if necessary Game 11 follows at 4:00 p.m.)

*All time Central

Show Me Sellout

Only days remain until the Redhawks regular season finale...It's Saturday night the 27th hosting Austin Peay. Southeast is making a push to pack the building...calling it the Show-Me-Sell Out.

The Show Me Center holds just over seven thousand people and as of Sunday night five thousand tickets have been sold.

The last time the show me center was sold out for a redhawks game... over ten years ago... february 12th 2000.

I remember it well... it was an NCAA Tournament-like atmosphere with the Murray State Racers winning 77-60. The Redhawks (Indians at the time) did not lose again until falling to LSU in the first round of the Big Dancein Salt Lake City.

I hope the Show Me Sell Out is a huge success and it helps energize SEMO basketball fans.

With the young raw talent on the roster and additions in key areas I honestly believe the programs fortunes will drastically improve under head coach Dickey Nutt.

The team has been fun to watch all season and I'm already looking forward to next season.

Incredible Dunk From LaQuentin Miles

Special thanks to James LaBine at SEMO for shooting this highlight of Redhawks freshman guard LaQuentin Miles. One of the best dunks you'll see.

Southeast lost the game Saturday night to Morehead State but did show (as they have done all season) flashes of better things to come for the program.

ESPN BrackBusters: SEMO Travels To Miami (OH)

This just released... SEMO draws the Miami Redhawks in the upcoming ESPN BracketBusters.

Ironic don't you think....Redhawks vs Redhawks!
--- --- --- ---

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State University will travel to Miami (Ohio) as part of the ESPN BracketBusters on Feb. 20. Game time is to be announced.

Southeast and Miami (Ohio), which bear the same nickname, meet for the first time in Oxford this season.

Miami (Ohio) is currently 8-13 overall and third in the Mid-American Conference East Division standings at 5-3. The RedHawks are the third MAC team Southeast will play this year.

Meanwhile, Southeast sits at 6-15 overall and eighth in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 3-8 mark.

The Southeast and Miami (Ohio) game is one of 10 non-televised matchups in this year's BracketBusters Pool. Oral Roberts at Austin Peay, Northern Illinois at Eastern Illinois, Winthrop at Eastern Kentucky, Presbyterian at Jacksonville State, Morehead State at Illinois State, SIU Edwardsville at Cal State Fullerton, Tennessee State at Central Michigan, Tennessee Tech at Appalachian State and UT Martin at Ball State are the others.

The pairings for the 11 televised games will be announced Monday at 5:30 p.m., CT, on ESPNU.

Tony Samuel Will Return For 2010 Season

No big surprise coming from Southeast Missouri State...Just got the official word SEMO football coach Tony Samuel will return for (at least) the fifth and final year of his contract.

Samuel finished the season, on a bit of a high note, hanging with the top ranked Southern Illinios Salukis at Houck stadium for most of the afternoon. SEMO did lose 42-24 but showed passion and never gave up.

Samuel's record at SEMO has been anything but impressive (13-32) which lead many to speculate he would not return. Bringing him back to finish out his current contract is the right move. The University does not need another negative public relations hit (the men's and women's basketball programs stole that spotlight).

The economic ramifications have to be taken into consideration as well. As the economy sits on shaky ground it does not make much sense to pay a coach to go away.

Honestly, would it be the end of the world if the Redhawks roll thorough another losing season in 2010? It's not like there are a lot of expectations placed on the football program to be a winner. If it happens...great. If not..oh well.

SEMO Football under Tony Samuel:

Year W-L OVC Record OVC Finish

2009 2-9 (1-7 OVC) 8th*
2008 4-8 (2-6 OVC) 7th
2007 3-8 (1-6 OVC) 9th
2006 4-7 (2-6 OVC) 7th

*SEMO finished 8th because Jacksonville State was ineligible for OVC Championship.

Countdown FCS Playoffs

The Football Championship Subdivision (formerly 1AA) playoffs are just a few weeks from kicking off. The Southern Illinois Salukis should enter as a #1 seed. Unless you believe in (major gigantic) miracles SIU should end the regular season as the top ranked team in the country.

Dale Lennon's Salukis jumped from #3 to #1 this week following Saturday's win over (at the time) #9 South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits have since dropped to 12th.

The 8-1 Salukis are kings of the top 25 for the first time since Oct. 10, 2005. During the 2004 season SIU spent 11 weeks at #1.

SIU has two regular season games remaining...games they should win. One of them could turn into the most lopsided victory by the Salukis in decades. I'll let you figure out which game that might be.

The remaining schedule of teams of interest in the FCS Top 25.

#1 Southern Illinois (8-1)
Nov. 14 vs Missouri State
Nov. 21 @ SEMO

#2 Montana (9-0)
Nov. 14 vs Northern Colorado
Nov. 21 @ Montana State

#3 Villanova Wildcats (8-1)
Nov. 14 @ Towson
Nov. 21 vs Delaware

#4 Richmond (8-1)
Nov. 14 @ Georgetown
Nov. 21 vs William & Mary

#11 Northern Iowa (6-3)
Nov. 14 vs Western Illinois
Nov. 21 @ Illinois State

#12 South Dakota State (7-2)
Nov. 14 @ Minnesota
Nov. 21 @ Western Illinois

#14 Eastern Illinois (7-2)
Nov. 14 vs UT Martin
Nov. 19 vs Tennessee State

#17 Jacksonville State (6-3)*
Nov. 14 vs Tennessee Tech
Nov. 21 vs Eastern Kentucky

*JSU is not postseason eligible. The Gamecocks are serving a one year ban due to failing to meet standards on the NCAA Academic Progress Report three consecutive years.

SEMO Heading in the right direction

Despite the loss Saturday to Eastern Illinois (23-14) I anxiously look forward to the Redhawks next game.  Maybe this is wishful thinking or seriously looking on the bright side, but I think the Southeast program under Tony Samuel has turned the corner.  I'm not suggesting they are a contender for the OVC title or a playoff hopeful but I do believe they are improved and will  make games interesting.

The Redhawks put together a good first half against a team which will probably crack the FCS Top 25 this week. Entering the SEMO game Eastern was ranked 26th.

I like what the Redhawks showed me: Opportunistic defense (recovering four fumbles) and a never give up attitude.  It's a start and hopefully the beginning of better things to come.

Southeast goes for it's first OVC victory of the season next Saturday at UT Martin.

Looking Forward To Next Weekend

or me this was not a great weekend for football.  However it did begin well with my alma mater (Toledo) drilling Colorado 54-38.  If you get a chance to see the Rockets play this year don't miss the opportunity. I'm sure they will be on one of the ESPN channels at some point again this season.

Saturday the Buckeyes lose to USC in the final minute and it's topped off Sunday with a Bengals loss to Denver on a play some are calling "The Immaculate Deflection". An 87 yard td reception by Denver's Brandon Stokely off a deflected pass with seconds left in the game...Blah, Blah, Blah...Bengals find another way to lose.  I fear it's going to be a long season.

With that said I am actually looking forward to next weekend.  SEMO and Murray State are back playing competition more to their level. Redhawks host Eastern Illinois (not another Big East team) and Murray State travels to Missouri State (not another ACC team). I don't think we'll see either team involved in 70-3 or 65-7 game. Those were clearly pay day games for SEMO and Murray State.
Tennessee Martin get a money game Saturday at Memphis and SIU hosts SW Baptist.

The Redhawks run defense will need to come prepared Saturday against Eastern Illinois.  The Panthers feature junior running back Mon Williams and his 6.45 yards per carry (two games 31 carries for 200 yards and 2 td's). 

The University of Florida transfer brings more than great running skills to the EIU roster, he owns a pair of National Championship rings wons while and underclassman with the Gators. He was with Florida from 2006-2008 and took a medical redshirt in 2007 after suffering a torn ACL in spring practice.
Williams transfered into Eastern Illinois in time for the '09 Spring Semester.

This will be the first "real" test of the season for the Redhawks playing against guys on their level. SEMO held NAIA school Quincy to only 63 yard rushing while top 25 Cincinnati gutted the Redhawks for 351.

Everyone loves a prediction so I'll step out and say EIU 27, SEMO 10. Hope I am way off base, but it's hard to go against the numbers. This decade SEMO is 1-8 against the Panthers (the only victory coming in a 2003 30-17 final) and they have been outscored 270-156. 

Now it's time for a shameless plug: You can watch the game webcast live at www.kfvs12.com.

While surfing the net scouring sports pages I stumbled upon a great site for college football / numbers geeks like me.

• Football Championship Subdivision
• Football Bowl Subdivision

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.

NCAA Basketball Attendance Figures

The NCAA recently released the attendance numbers for the past season for division one men's basketball. If you are a stat geek like me you'll love diving into the report. It's only 7 pages long but filled with interesting information.

Download the NCAA Report

Here is a quick breakdown of teams of interest making the top 100...The numbers represent the average for home games.

1. Kentucky.........22,239
3. N. Carolina......21,035
4. Tennessee.......20,483
5. Louisville.........19,397
8. Memphis.........16,933

9. Kansas..............16,350
11. Arkansas..........16,043
12. Creighton.........15,930
13. Illinois..............15,499
47. Missouri............9,805

71. St. Louis...........7,627
75. Missouri St.......7,147
77. Illinois St..........7,118
92. SIU..................5,892
94. Evansville.........5,863

Not in the top 100:

UT Martin..........3,762
Murray State......3,543
SEMO................2,613

• (A surprise to me) The Big Ten is the top drawing conference averaging 12,519 pergame and the SEC is 2nd with an average attendance of 11,625 a game.


• The Big XII ranks 5th (10,395)


• The Missouri Valley is 8th (7,752)


• The Ohio Valley Conference ranks in the bottom half (18th) with an average of 2,500 fans attending OVC games.


• Of the 31 division one conferences all but 10 saw a decrease in attendance.


• The Big XII suffered the largest decrease...down 600 a game from the previous season.

Wild Day For SEMO Baseball

What a crazy day at the park for Southeast Missouri State baseball in Sunday's series finale at Eastern Kentucky...a 11-10 loss.

Head coach Mark Hogan was tossed, Matt Wagner was tossed, Southeast fans were ejected and
according to a reporter at the Richmond Register the father of a Redhawks player was ejected after storming the field and charging toward and umpire. The parent was restrained by a Southeast assistant coach.

The Richmond Register reporter told me the incident stemmed from a play in the ninth inning... a ball hit by the Redhawks infielder Matt Wagner was called foul (many thought it was fair). Wagner eventually struck out in the same at-bat.

The next batter, Louie Haseltine, hit a homerun... then during the celebration Wagner was tossed and that's when the Redhawks fan got onto the field.

I talked with a couple of people in the SEMO athletics department but neither would make an official comment until more information is gathered.

We do know coach Hogan and Matt Wagner are suspended for the next scheduled conference game. Ohio Valley Conference rule states a player or coach ejected from a conference game must sit out the next scheduled conference game.

Pictures courtesy: Richmond Register