Big Dan linemen

The undisputed leaders of Southeast Missouri State University's offensive line share many attributes, including a first name, a hometown, imposing size and plenty of ability.

But what Dan Bieg and Dan Connolly didn't initially share when they began their careers with the Indians four years ago was any real affection for one another.

"When we first got to SEMO, there was a little hostility because the two of us were going to battle for the same position," recalled Connolly.

But Connolly was soon moved to tackle while Bieg remained at guard. And after that, it didn't take long for the pair to hit it off, which was probably best since they roomed together that first summer in Cape Girardeau.

"After he got moved to tackle, everything was fine," said Bieg, smiling. "We lived together again last year, and we've gotten to be pretty close over the years."

The end result for the Indians has been more than fine. The products of St. Louis-area high schools, who are both listed at 6-feet-4 and 305 pounds, earned starting positions during their freshmen seasons in 2001 and have ranked among the Ohio Valley Conference's premier linemen ever since.

Bieg earned first-team all-OVC honors last year, when he also was listed as an honorable-mention All-American. Connolly has been second-team all-OVC in each of his first three seasons. Both players were named to the preseason all-OVC squad this year, with Bieg also receiving preseason All-American recognition.

"We kind of threw them in there when we weren't very good, along with some other true freshmen, and they've just turned into tremendous players," said Southeast coach Tim Billings. "They've just gotten better and better and we're looking for really big things from them this year."

Leaders of the line

Bieg, a right guard, and left tackle Connolly played on the same side of the line for most of their first three seasons at Southeast before being moved away from each other this year. There is no question who the unit's leaders are.

"They've been great players for us, and they're the leaders of our line, without a doubt," Southeast offensive line coach Mike Chavez said.

The pair doesn't shy away from that role, either.

"I think we are the leaders of the line," Connolly said. "He rules one side and I rule the other."

Said Bieg: "We try to be leaders both vocally and with our play. We try to help out the other guys as much as possible."

Even though Bieg, from CBC High in St. Louis County, and Connolly, from Marquette in Chesterfield, Mo., both attended high school in the St. Louis area, they didn't know each other from football, although they did meet during track season. Both competed in the shot put. They both also received feelers from NCAA Division I-A programs before deciding to attend Southeast and try to help get that struggling I-AA outfit headed in the right direction.

"I kind of wanted to turn something around, to help get it going and be successful," Bieg said.

Added Connolly: "The coaches were pretty new and they sold the program on being successful. I was glad to be a part of it."

Chasing elusive title

Bieg and Connolly -- who both figure to receive looks from the National Football League -- have helped steer Southeast's program in the right direction, highlighted by the Indians' 8-4 season in 2002 that marked their best record since 1969.

Even last year, although Southeast got off to an 0-5 start, the Indians rebounded to win five of their final seven games and would have gained a share of their first OVC title and earned the program's first playoff berth by beating Jacksonville State in the finale. But the Gamecocks prevailed 22-17.

"We started off really bad last year, but we hung together and we still had a chance to win the championship," Connolly said.

Despite losing some key players from a year ago -- including All-American center Eugene Amano, a seventh-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans who was formerly the anchor of Southeast's line -- Bieg and Connolly are hopeful they'll be able to end their college careers by hoisting that elusive OVC championship banner.

"We want to start off the season good, no 0-5 like last year," Connolly said. "Even though we've got a really tough schedule, I think we can do well and I think we can win the OVC."

Said Bieg: "Our team is a lot tighter than we were last year, a lot better chemistry, and I think that's going to be really important. We want to win the OVC and then take our shot in the playoffs."

Which would no doubt bring Bieg and Connolly even closer together.