COACH'S CORNER: SEMO's BIG WIN CAME AT PERFECT TIME

Southeast Missouri State's 42-7 win over Tennessee-Martin Saturday night came at the right place and the right time -- on the road and in time to even our record at 2-2.

We experienced early adversity as Martin recovered a punt after we had inadvertently touched it. On the next play they hit a big play-action pass for a touchdown, going ahead 7-0.

In the past couple of weeks we had not handled that type of adversity well. At Martin, our offense came to life, racking up 35 points while our defense and kicking game smothered the Skyhawks.

Offensively, our line play was much improved as we moved around and sustained blocks in the run game. David Koleosho rushed for 80-plus yards, Aaron Layne scored a touchdown and Britt Mirgaux blocked effectively. Justin Martini threw very accurately behind improved protection and threw the deep ball to Dante Bryant with great precision.

Defensively, we held Martin to 24 yards rushing and 140 yards passing. Our defense was as physically intimidating as I've seen as several Martin players, including two quarterbacks, left the game with injuries. Marcus McClellan and Zuri Buchanan played very well, racking up several tackles for losses. Freddie Hambrick was beat on a long ball early, but came back with an interception and several pass break-ups.

We enjoyed great field position all night as our return team did a good job. Our kickoff coverage was good most of the night as was our punt coverage. Nick Reggio is keeping his kickoffs high and deep.

I can't be happier for a group of men who have been working hard for this type of success. But we must keep this win in proper context. Martin is a young team with a lot of new faces. Eastern Illinois, on the other hand, is a very experienced team which is extremely physical in the run game and plays an attacking defense.

Saturday's 5 p.m. game at Houck Stadium that is part of Family Weekend at Southeast will pose the No. 1 rush defense against the No. 1 rushing attack in the conference. We must have another great offensive effort to keep the EIU offense on the sideline. Our defense will rise to the challenge against the EIU run and have a great game.

As always, field position is critical in the kicking game as well as limiting yardage plays and foolish penalties.

EIU, which made the I-AA playoffs last year, was the preseason pick to win the Ohio Valley Conference this year in voting by the league's head coaches and sports information directors. The Panthers are off to a 2-0 OVC start and are 4-1 overall after having won their last four games.

It's going to be a major test for our team but we welcome the challenge and we look forward to an excellent Parent Day crowd. Several of our players' parents will be introduced prior to the game. Please come out and support the Indians as we take on the EIU Panthers, ranked 15th in the nation among Division I-AA football teams.

John Mumford is the head football coach at Southeast Missouri State University.