What a wild game Saturday

What a wild, crazy college football game I saw Saturday at Houck Stadium as SEMO opened OVC play with a 41-38 double-overtime win over defending OVC tri-champion Tennessee Tech.

Things appeared bleak for the Redhawks much of the first half as Tech's potent passing attack picked Southeast apart.

SEMO was outgained in total yardage 405 to 146 during the opening two quarters but trailed just 24-21 at the break thanks to a pair of interception returns for touchdowns.

Those "pick-sixes" kept the Redhawks within striking distance and SEMO played much better in the second half both offensively and defensively before pulling out the victory.

Tech junior wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers, a former all-SEC performer who was suspended indefinitely by Tennessee for an undisclosed violation of team rules and transferred to Tech the week of the season opener, put on a show.

Rogers, big and fast with tremendous hands, set school records with 18 receptions for 303 yards. But the Redhawks actually did a decent job on him following a first half that saw him catch 12 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns.

Watching Rogers, I kept thinking, now this is what an NFL receiver looks like. He's regarded as a solid NFL prospect and I'll be surprised if he doesn't reach that level.

I'm not sure if you can come away from the game thinking that the Redhawks are legitimate OVC contenders -- the jury is still out on that -- but it was certainly an uplifting way for SEMO to begin its conference schedule.

Things won't get any easier for the Redhawks this Saturday as they face another of last year's OVC tri-champions, Jacksonville State, on the road.

The Gamecocks will no doubt be in a bad mood after getting crushed in their OVC opener. Preseason conference favorite Eastern Kentucky, the other defending OVC tri-champion, led 34-8 at halftime and routed JSU 51-21