Coach says defensive unit may be best in his years at Southeast

Southeast Missouri State University's defense has made strong statistical improvements the last several years, and Indians coach Tim Billings believes that trend will continue in 2004.

Last season, the Indians' defenders allowed an average of 336.1 yards per game -- by far their lowest figure in Billings' four seasons as coach and down more than 50 yards from 2002. They ranked third among nine Ohio Valley Conference squads in total defense.

The Indians were also fourth in the league in scoring defense at 24.2 points per game, following a 2002 season that saw them allow 29 points per contest.

"Our defense has gotten better each year we've been here, and we need for that to continue if we want to have a legitimate chance to win the OVC championship," Billings said. "I feel like our defense will be better than it has been."

Billings, the defensive coordinator at Marshall before coming to Southeast, again will assume that role this season after first-year defensive coordinator Damon Bradford was called to active duty by the National Guard and will be deployed to Iraq. Secondary coach Cody Vardeman will serve as co-defensive coordinator.

Although the Indians return seven defensive starters, they lost three first-team all-conference performers, including All-American cornerback Dimitri Patterson after he decided to transfer. Still, Billings and Vardeman don't waver in their faith regarding this unit.

"I think our defense might be the best since I have been at Southeast," Billings said.

Added Vardeman, "I think our defense really came together as a unit in the spring. I give a lot of the credit to the work of coach Bradford. He will be in Iraq when we play our games, but his work last spring will show on the field this fall. We will be an exciting defense to watch."

A position-by-position look at Southeast's defense:

Line

The production of first-team all-OVC performer Ryan Roth could be difficult to replace as the graduated Roth led the team in sacks (6) and tackles for loss (15.5).

But the Indians return plenty of experience to this unit, as all three of the projected starters were at least part-time regulars last season.

Junior Brandon Bohnert and sophomore Bernard Quinn are slated to start at tackle, with seniors Adam Jones and Cal Jillson -- who have both battled knee injuries throughout their careers -- at end. Jones had 31 tackles last year despite being limited to seven games, Jillson had 25 tackles and four tackles for loss, and Bohnert had 22 tackles and two sacks.

Billings and Vardeman look for quality depth -- and perhaps even starting assignments -- to be provided by the likes of seniors John Paul Usrey and A.J. Vassar; junior Justin Komondoreas; and sophomores Edgar Jones, Fred Amano and Jared Odom, the latter a part-time regular last year. Usrey has moved back to defense after playing fullback last season, Komondoreas has moved from linebacker, while Jones and Amano both received playing time as true freshmen a year ago.

"We are athletic up front with players who have a lot of experience," Vardeman said.

Linebacker

This position would appear to be a question mark -- at least on paper -- as only one player with considerable experience returns. But Billings and Vardeman both say they feel good about the unit.

Graduation took first-team all-conference selection Ricky Farmer, who ranked second on the squad last year in tackles (93), tackles for loss (10) and sacks (3). Two of the other top four linebackers from 2003 also completed their eligibility.

But returning is former Cape Girardeau Central High School standout O.J. Turner, a senior who moved into the starting lineup as a true freshman. Turner was the Indians' top tackler last season with 95, including six for losses.

Projected to start with Turner are sophomore Corey Andrade, who had 22 tackles last season in a reserve role, and junior Brandon Colar, who redshirted a year ago after transferring from junior college.

Other returning players in the mix are senior Travion Brock, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career but had 15 tackles last year, junior Elijah Willis and sophomore Tunde Agboke, a former Kentucky transfer. They all saw limited action last season.

Also battling for playing time is sophomore Seth Harrell, a former Jackson High School star who transferred from the University of Missouri shortly before the start of practice. Harrell, a walk-on at MU, was a squad member last year but did not see any game action.

"Even though we lost some good players, I feel good about our linebackers," Billings said.

Secondary

Patterson decided to transfer to a Division II program despite a junior season that saw the first-team all-OVC player earn All-American honors while leading the league in interceptions with six.

But the Indians return loads of experience at this position, including junior free safety Anthony Lumpkin, who was third on the team in tackles last season with 69, and junior cornerback Kellin White, who ranked second in interceptions with four and sixth in tackles with 46.

Senior cornerback Marco Tipton and junior strong safety Mike Miller missed last season with injuries but they both started two years ago.

Also back are senior free safety Chaun Tate, who battled through injuries last year to make 43 tackles and intercept three passes; senior strong safety Nate Johnston, a part-time starter last season who had 21 tackles; and junior strong safety Reggie Aubuchon, who saw limited action a year ago.

Redshirt freshman Romae Rucker is expected to provide depth at cornerback while Charles McCoy -- a junior college All-American who chose Southeast over Nebraska and national champion Southern California -- should make an immediate impact at cornerback.

"We have good depth in the secondary," Vardeman said.

Punter

Sophomore David Simonhoff returns as the regular after a true freshman season that saw him average 41 yards per punt and make second-team all-OVC.

"David had a solid freshman season and he's only going to get better," Billings said.