Indians get chance to heal in open week

Southeast's banged up defenders get extra time to mend injuries.

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

Southeast Missouri State University football coach Tim Billings believes the Indians' open date over the weekend was --pardon the pun -- just what the doctor ordered.

"We had a good week of practice last week, we really did," Billings said. "Whether it carries over into Saturday, I don't know. But we had great practices and got a lot of things accomplished."

Billings figures Southeast's injury-riddled defense will be as healthy as it has been in a while for Saturday's 6 p.m. home game against preseason OVC favorite Eastern Kentucky (2-3, 2-1). The Indians are 1-4 overall and 1-1 in the league.

"I think it's helped us a lot," said Billings, regarding the open date in relation to getting his defense well. "We've had kids that didn't practice last week, that rested, and a lot of those guys should be ready to go.

"We had five guys in casts last week, and four should have them off so they at least can use two hands. It's hard enough to play defense with both hands. That's kind of the way our season has went."

While most if not all of Southeast's banged up defenders should be as close to 100 percent as they have been for several weeks, Billings said safety Anthony Lumpkin is likely out for the season with a shoulder injury.

Meanwhile, Southeast's offense had been able to remain relatively healthy for most of the season -- until last week.

All-American tight end Ray Goodson, the Indians' leading receiver, had arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus, while all-conference tackle Dan Connolly has a leg infection. Billings is hopeful that both will be able to play Saturday.

If Goodson either can't play or is limited, promising redshirt freshman Joseph Tuineau -- who has seven receptions as Goodson's backup -- would likely be given a much larger role in the offense.

If Connolly can't go, then Billings said all-conference guard Dan Bieg would likely move to tackle and either Dominique Brown or Francisco Perez -- both true freshmen -- would take Bieg's spot.