April 12, 2002

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.- Although heavy rains that started halfway through the game sent some fans packing for the exits and cut the game short by a quarter, there was plenty of action at the annual Southeast Missouri Spring football game, as the Red squad topped the White team 21-13.

Sophomore running back Corey Kinsey got the crowd of about 800 on their feet early as his shake-and-bake moves resulted in a 41-yard touchdown run and gave the red team an early 7-0 lead. Kinsey is slated to replace graduating senior and All-OVC performer Curtis Cooper.

That was only the start for the Red team in the six-minute first quarter. Sophomore Bill Coleman caught a 16-yard pass from redshirt freshman Jeff East to increase the advantage to 14-0 before senior linebacker James Jennette picked up a fumble and trouted three-yards for a score and a 21-0 first quarter cushion.

After halftime the White team was finally able to put some points on the scoreboard thanks to a 15-yard catch by sophomore Chris Brawley from junior college transfer Jack Tomco. Tomco struck once more in the third, a three-yard pass to All-American Willie Ponder to cap the scoring. Following the Ponder touchdown the game was called due to heavy rain.

Tomco, a transfer from Scottsdale Community College, was impressive in his Southeast debut, completing 16-28 passes for 179 yards and two scores. He played for returning starter Jeromy McDowell who is recovering from surgery following last season. East was 2-4 through the air of 20 yards and a score and sophomore Ben Arnold was 1-4 for seven yards.

Ponder led all receivers with six catches and 65 yards and his touchdown. Brawley added four catches for 59 yards, Coleman had 20 yards and Chris NesSmith had 18 total yards.

On the ground, Kinsey gained 55 total yards on eight carries.

Senior punter Kyle East had an impressive 48.8 yard punt average on five attempts, including a long of 60 yards.

Defensively, sophomore Dimitri Patterson and senior Todd Frazier each had an interception.

Southeast will begin its season for real on Thursday, August 29 at 6:00 p.m. versus Arkansas-Monticello at Houck Stadium. The game will be 'Hail to Houck' Night as Southeast will try to break the all-time attendance record for Houck night.

Score By Quarters
          1st    2nd   3rd   4th   Final
Red       21     0     0     -     21
White      0     0     13    -     13


Scoring Summary
Red   1st    Corey Kinsey 41-yard run                   Kutz Kick        7-0 Red
Red   1st    Bill Coleman 16-yard pass from Jeff East   Kutz Kick        14-0 Red
Red   1st    James Jenette 2-yard fumble return         Kutz Kick        21-0 Red
White 3rd    Chris Brawley 15-yard pass from Jack Tomco Emmendorfer Kick 21-7 Red
White 3rd    Willie Ponder 3-yard pass from Tomco       -                21-13 Red