Nathan Hutchinson
RICHMOND — Even after a stunning loss last week, the Colonels still have a chance to win a third-straight Ohio Valley Conference title.
However, the defending champs know the reality they face heading into the final four games of the season.
“There’s possibilities,” Eastern Kentucky University senior offensive lineman Derek Hardman said. “But, really the best possibility for us is (just getting back to) practice. That’s the best possibility. Any chance that we have for a title starts on the practice field.”
EKU headed into last Saturday’s game at Austin Peay in a three-way tie for first place with Tennessee State and Eastern Illinois.
But, after the Govs pulled off a shocking upset, the Colonels (4-3, 4-2 OVC) dropped to third place and suddenly found themselves in a rather precarious position.
“We’ve got to bounce back,” EKU coach Dean Hood said. “This is what college football is all about. Football is a great teacher of life. Sometimes you do your best and it’s not good enough. Or you make mistakes you regret, but you’ve got to get back up in the morning and go on to the next day. Everyone feels bad about the loss, but what are you going to do now? Adversity reveals your character. I’m sure the guys will bounce back.”
If the Colonels want to keep their chances at another title alive, they will have to defeat Southeast Missouri State (1-6, 0-5 OVC) today at Roy Kidd Stadium.
Game time is set for 1 p.m.
The Colonels had beaten Austin Peay 22 straight times, a streak that dated back to 1977. However, led by a pair of talented running backs, the Governors racked up 263 rushing yards and held on for a 24-20 win last Saturday in Clarksville.
Terrance Holt finished with 176 yards rushing on 16 carries, including an 80-yard touchdown run, as Peay shredded the EKU rush defense, which was ranked fifth nationally prior to the game — 74.33 yards per game.
“Coach had us physically and mentally prepared, but those guys are good,” EKU linebacker Antonio Fredrick said. “A lot of people might underestimate them — I don’t think we did. We just didn’t execute.”
EKU also turned the ball over four times and allowed three plays of 45 yards or longer.
Redshirt freshman T.J. Pryor rushed for two touchdowns and led the Colonels on three touchdown drives in the second quarter. Still, EKU turned the ball over on three of its final four possessions, including an interception with just more than a minute left in the game.
“You are not going to beat anyone in college football like that,” Hood said of the turnovers. “And we gave up big plays.”
The Colonels were banged up heading into the game at Austin Peay, especially on defense, and suffered another potentially serious injury.
Senior defensive Andre Evans did not play because of a concussion and freshman defensive back Justin Bell had to leave the game in the second half with a foot/ankle injury.
It’s unclear if either will be able to play today against SEMO.
“That’s two of our top three corners who have issues,” Hood said. “And Jeremy (Caldwell) is not 100 percent. Heck, he’s never 100 percent.”
Junior running back Bruce Frieson returned to the lineup after not seeing any action against UT Martin (Oct. 17) because of an injury and rushed six times for 26 yards and a touchdowns.
And despite suffering a rib injury against UT Martin, senior defensive lineman Chris Hall had seven tackles against Austin Peay.
The Colonels have just two conference games left on the schedule — SEMO and Nov. 21 at Jacksonville State — and they are well-aware that they must win both those games and get a little help from around the league.
Still, at this point, they certainly know they can’t look ahead — because another conference loss would definitely knock them out of contention completely .
“Anybody can beat anybody on any Saturday,” Hood said. “It’s just a matter of who executes and takes care of the ball.”
EKU has beaten SEMO five-straight times and holds a 17-2 advantage in the all-time series between the two schools.
The Redhawks are the only team in the OVC without a league win. However, all five of their conference games have been decided by 12 points or less.
“They play us hard every year,” Fredrick said. “They are 1-6, but coach always says there’s not a team in the OVC that we can’t beat and there’s not a team in the OVC that can’t beat us.”
The Redhawks almost beat the Colonels last year in Cape Girardeau, Mo. SEMO had a second-half lead, but EKU got an interception return for a touchdown from Caldwell and two touchdown passes from Allan Holland to rally for a 29-16 win.
The Redhawks rank last in the OVC in total defense (400.3 yards a game) and rush defense (219.9 yards a game) and are seventh in scoring defense (28.6 points a game).
SEMO has scored just 86 points during its current six-game losing streak.
However, the Redhawks have come close to beating several OVC teams. They fell at home to Eastern Illinois by just nine points and had two close losses on the road — UT Martin, 29-22, and Tennessee State, 23-17.
Last week, SEMO had more total offense than Tennessee Tech and was four-of-four on red zone chances, but still suffered a 28-16 loss.
“We had a tough loss again,” SEMO coach Tony Samuels said. “We hang in there, but we can’t get over the top. All the games are close, but we are not getting in the win column.”
Sophomore quarterback Matt Scheible leads the Redhawk offense. He has thrown for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns and averaging 154.4 yards a game passing (fifth-best in the OVC).
Scheible’s favorite target has been Walter Peoples. The senior ranks fourth in the league in receptions a game (4.0) and 10th in receiving yards a game (39.0).
