COACH'S CORNER: `SHOW ME' TIME ARRIVES FOR INDIANS

This is our "Show Me Bowl" week as Southeast Missouri State prepares for a tough Illinois State team that will come to Houck Stadium Saturday night.

Why the Show Me Bowl? Obviously to eliminate any skepticism about the ability of our squad since our 24-6 win over Lambuth on Aug. 30 to open the season.

The biggest skeptic is me -- the head coach. We did a lot of good things against a tough Lambuth team. However, Lambuth is not in ISU's league.

ISU opened two weeks ago with a 43-13 loss at Southern Utah. As coach Todd Berry termed it: "The trip from hell."

The Redbirds are a very young but deeply talented football team. Now, what happened this past weekend with the Redbirds was that, as a young team, they learned how to come back from a 21-7 deficit and defeat No. 25 ranked Buffalo 40-28. Thus, a cause for concern.

It is often said that youth and wisdom don't mesh at the same time. It is apparent that ISU gained a great deal of wisdom, character and confidence in one week's time.

ISU has an explosive offense that can score from anywhere on the field. And this offense is guided by a true freshman quarterback who had a big game against Buffalo. Defensively, ISU may have the best front seven (next to ours) that we'll see all year.

The Redbirds' kicking game has been phenomenal, led by Marquis Mosely, a Division I-A transfer from Illinois who was one of the Fighting Illini's top receivers before he left. Mosely averages 60 yards per kickoff return and ran one back for 100 against Buffalo.

This game will boil down to three or four critical areas:

1) Special Teams. We must contain Mosely, score points and give our offense and defense great field position.

2) Giveaways/Takeaways. ISU has given the ball away once and taken it from the opposition 10 times in two games. That's plus-9 on the turnover ratio.

3) Penalties. We must play more disciplined and not hurt ourselves.

4) Ball Control. We must move the chain, score and keep the ISU offense on their bench.

There is little question that our physical talent and intensity have improved. What we are working on this week is our mental intensity and total focus.

It is said that the biggest improvement shown by a football team comes from the first game to the second. ISU has answered that question with dramatic improvement. Now we'll see if the Indians can match or better that improvement in our second game. I don't know. They'll have to "Show Me."

As fans, we hope you turn out in droves and enjoy the event, the game and get loud and crazy. Please come and support your Indian football team. It would be great for our players and coaches if Houck Stadium is packed Saturday night.

Finally, Leslie and I wish to thank all that offered their support and prayers through the death of her father, Patrick Green. Pat died at 5 p.m. prior to our Lambuth game. Les didn't tell me until after the game. If you ever hear that coaches' wives are special, believe it~. I've got the best~!

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