GRIDIRON IMPROVEMENTS ARE EVIDENT FOR INDIANS

The true measure of a quality Division I-AA football program is depth. Teams rich enough to send wave after wave of talent onto the field can withstand the adversity of injuries and emotional uprisings with impressive regularity. Southeast Missouri State University football coach John Mumford uses this standard of excellence to show how he's building a contender in the Ohio Valley Conference. We applaud the course he's taking.

Mumford, whose Indians open their season tonight at Houck Stadium against Murray State University, believes Southeast was really only a "half-deep team" in the school's inaugural season in Division I-AA football last year. In 1992, Mumford says his team is "one and a half deep." That is, he feels he has more than just one line of prime-time offensive and defensive players to throw at the opposition without any fear of dropoff in performance.

By 1994, Mumford plans send~~ing a team onto the field that can contend with the likes of perennial Ohio Valley Conference powers Eastern Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. Depth is the key, but how does a program achieve it?

Mumford shows no reluctance to taking a non-trad~itional approach. For instance, Southeast did something during spring drills that cut down on casualties in the classroom and on the field. Rather than follow the accepted pattern of holding spring drills during April and May, Southeast opted for February. The time normally devoted to spring drills was designated for student-athletes to study for final exams and to work on strength and conditioning in the weight room. The results? Southeast was able to make sure all Proposition 48 athletes (those who are at risk academically) acquired passing grades. In addition, the team cut down on injuries that normally occur during fall drills.

Mumford's break from tradition in training does not naturally extend to his approach to the autumn ritual of college football. Some rites you don't tamper with. In addition to fielding a competitive team, Mumford is attempting to instill a sense of excitement concerning college football in Cape Girardeau. A Booster Club tailgate party will lead into tonight's contest, and other events are planned to promote community and campus spirit for the Indians.

We commend Mumford's enthusiasm and his approach in directing the Indians to a higher level of competition. Last year, Southeast showed that it could compete in the Ohio Valley Conference. We believe further improvements will be evident on the gridiron this season.