Gameday blog: Southeast at Memphis

Our view from the press box at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn., as Southeast Missouri State takes on Memphis in the 2016 season opener.

After three quarters, Memphis leads Southeast Missouri State 32-10.

It was a better quarter for the Redhawks by most accounts.

The defense continued to do everything it could to give SEMO a chance to get back in the game, making four consecutive stops dating back to the second quarter. On the fifth drive, Memphis had to settle for a 45-yard field goal.

Here's the defensive improvement as the game has gone on:

Breakdown of offensive yards given up by SEMO: 1st — 153; 2nd — 85; 3rd — 49
Positive trend. Nearly in half each quarter.— Josh Mlot (@semoballJosh) September 4, 2016

Southeast also got its only explosive play of the game, but it was a big one. Will Young broke loose on a 61-yard scoring run to put his team in the end zone for the first time on the night. It was the longest play of either team through three quarters and put him at 100 yards for the night at that point.

At the half, Southeast is trailing Memphis 29-3.

It's been a rough first half for the Redhawks, as they've struggled to gain any rhythm on offense, leaving the defense on the field for long stretches to deal with the Tigers' uptempo attack. The result has been as you might expect.

SEMO has had nine offensive drives through two quarters, five of them lasted only three plays; the longest, five plays. Yardage-wise, the team's longest possession lasted 28 yards before being interrupted by the halftime break.

Southeast has 33 plays for 82 yards of offense in the first half. Memphis has run only a handful more plays, but has 238 yards of offense on 40 plays. The Redhawks hold a slight edge in time of possession, 15:52 to 14:08.

But it's been a lot of going nowhere for Southeast.

At the end of the first quarter, SEMO had more penalty yards (15) than total yards of offense (14).

Southeast is winning the turnover battle with a +2 margin. The Redhawks got interceptions from Roper Garrett and Mike Ford, and a fumble recovery from Fletcher Evans.

SEMO's lone turnover came on an interception thrown by Dante Vandeven. The pick set up a short field at Southeast's 12-yard line, allowing Memphis to score its third TD of the day.

Jesse Hosket got the start at quarterback and was 8 of 15 for 52 yards. He was sacked twice. Vandeven played two series and was 0 of 3 with an interception.

Will Young leads Southeast in rushing with 38 yards on nine carries. Tremane McCullough has four catches for 20 yards and Kristian Wilkersan has two for 26.

All four Tiger touchdowns have been scored by running backs — two TD catches for Darrell Henderson, a scoring reception for Doroland Dorceus and a rushing TD for Dorceus.

Anthony Miller has five catches for 74 yards for Memphis, while quarterback Riley Ferguson is 15 of 23 for 214 yards and three TDs.

Evans' fumble recovery gave the Redhawks possession in Southeast terrirtory for the only time all game, which resulted in a 26-yard field goal by Ryan McCrum.

The season opener is here for the Southeast Missouri State football team.

The Redhawks face Memphis at 6 p.m. today at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, and I have arrived here at the field accompanied by sports editor Josh Mlot. The weather is absolutely beautiful.

You can follow along with us on Twitter @semoballTrent or @semoballJosh. We'll provide updates throughout the game, and you don't have to have a Twitter account to see our posts.

Over the past five days we've provided complete SEMO football coverage in the Southeast Missourian and on semoball.com. Below are the links to each preview article so you can prepare yourself for the season opener.

Hosket-led Southeast Missouri State football team gets ready for season opener at Memphis

Southeast Missouri State football embraces an identity built on unity through division

Football is life changing for Southeast Missouri State's game-changing, loyal McCullough

Southeast Missouri State football preview: Offense

Roper Garrett leads Southeast Missouri State football defense with quiet intensity

Southeast Missouri State football preview: Defense

Southeast Missouri State football's Knight embracing lessons on and off field

Southeast Missouri State football preview: Special teams

A breakdown of the 2016 Ohio Valley Conference football teams