This, Redhaws fans, was as close to disaster as one could get.

Southeast Missouri State put together an effective fourth-quarter rally Thursday to erase three periods of peril in a 35-28 overtime victory against Southwest Baptist, a Division II team that hasn't won a game since Oct. 7, 2006.

The Bearcats, who now have lost 17 since that homecoming win against Fort Hays State, probably would have ended their losing streak if they had converted a 33-yard field goal or not fumbled the ball after a pass reception in the fourth period. They may have won if they didn't get called for holding in the end zone earlier in the game or throw four interceptions or any number of errors that showed they are a Division II team that hasn't won since 2006.

One would think it was just a matter of time before Southeast pulled this one out, if the Redhawks are going to make the strides that players and coaches believe this year will bring. But the first three quarters, when Southeast yielded 430 yards and fell behind 28-12, gave no indication this is going to be better.

The defense last year was probably the more impressive unit, and it brought back a number of key players and an experienced secondary. But it didn't get much pressure on Bearcats quarterback Steven Gachette, who passed for 298 yards in the spread offense. To compound matters, Southwest Baptist ran off some big gains on the ground while racking up 243 yards.

Southeast coach Tony Samuel noted the defense was a little dinged up, with Patrick Maloney's injury bringing more playing time for freshmen David Bax and Philip Klaproth. Klaproth forced the fumble late in the game inside the SEMO 40 which stopped an SBU drive and led to Doug Spada's tying field goal in the final 2 minutes.

On the bright side, Houston Lillard passed for 387 yards, with Miles Edwards catching 10 balls for 204 yards.

"They're not a passing team," said SBU coach Keith Allen, who said he saw Lillard on tape in the final three games of last year and wasn't surprised by his team's seven sacks of the Redhawks QB. "What kills me is how many yards they got passing on us, and it was all big plays."

The bright side didn't extend a whole lot further for Southeast, though.

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I can understand the glee that comes with a dramatic, exciting victory but I was a little surprised the Redhawks were so celebratory following the win considering how much effort it took to subdue a supposedly inferior foe.

In addition, Southeast players went over to the northwest corner of the end zone in a traditional visit to the area where the band is assembled, but Southwest Baptist officials were a little miffed the Redhawks players didn't wait until the Bearcats had cleared off te sideline.

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Victor Anderson said his brother Vincent, had to leave the game because several muscles in his left leg "locked up," which forced Vincent to be taken from the field on a cart.

Victor said he also took the IV on Thursday night and had periods of tightness, but he was able to detect it sooner than his brother and prevent it from worsening.

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Miles Edwards is a player worth paying the price of admission to watch. And he's a sophomore. With Mike Williamson, Walter Peoples and Brad Stewart also having good games -- combining for 13 catches -- Southeast could rack up some passing yards this season. They are working in some new tight ends this year, so that part of the game may take time to develop.

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The new public address announcer for Houck Stadium this year is Chris Rushin, replacing Todd Richards, who works with Randy Ray on the KFVS12 Web casts. Rushin, a football official in Southeast Missouri, does fine work as the emcee on awards ceremonies sponsored by the Poplar Bluff Letter Club.