COACH'S CORNER: 'TRIAL BY FIRE' CONTINUES FOR SE FOOTBALL

On Sunday morning, the day after our 34-13 loss at Indiana State that dropped our record to 0-7, I ran into Ron Herr at Schnucks.

Always gracious, Ron was more encouraging than I deserved. He made a statement inferring that the current season was indeed a `trial by fire' and that it would assuredly be followed by larger and entirely more positive experiences, as in his own life.

While I am extremely grateful for Ron's take on our situation, I couldn't help but think that, if this is a trial by fire, then my big rear end is burnt beyond all recognition and the only way to extinguish the flames is with a win.

Ron bleeds Southeast Missouri State University as a very active booster, fan and especially as an emeriti adviser to our athletes' academic needs. Again, I appreciated his words and encouragement.

Indiana State was as good an 0-5 team as there is anywhere. We knew they would be an extremely formidable foe because they had lost to a pair of I-A teams and then had dropped three close decisions to nationally ranked I-AA squads.

The Sycamores jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead by scoring touchdowns on their first four possessions. We gave them good field position on the opening kickoff. ISU then used the pitch on the option to move the ball effectively in the first half.

Our defense did a good job on the fullback and quarterback but took too long to play the pitch and make the tackles when in position.

Defensive tackle James Jennette is doing fine after a head-on collision with teammate Brad Richardson. James was transported by ambulance to the hospital for X-rays, which were negative. He experienced burning in his hands and neck while down on the field but had movement over his entire body.

The ISU players and coaches huddled in prayer for James while he was down, a class act for which we are grateful.

Offensively, we moved the ball well at times and late. K.D. Koleosho ran hard for 97 yards. We threw the ball effectively but still had two interceptions and a couple of drops. The offensive line had a complete game against a physical defense.

We continue to move the ball but find ways to come up short. We are capable of exploding but seem to fight it.

Now we get ready for in-state rival Southwest Missouri, which comes to Houck Stadium Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

Southwest Missouri is coming off a loss to top-10 Northern Iowa. The Bears have a 3-3 record playing in the extremely tough Gateway Conference and they will be a very talented opponent.

This is an old Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival that goes back a long way. It should be an interesting matchup.

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