COACH'S CORNER: YET ANOTHER TOUGH LOSS FOR SEMO

Our game with Eastern Kentucky ended in a 19-7 road loss for the Southeast Missouri State Indians.

Our football team deserves better than this game and season has provided. However, in order to win consistently, we must execute more consistently on responsibilities and techniques.

The margin of victory in too many of our games has simply boiled down to a very few discrete errors. This team has shown a good work ethic, competitive character and decent execution. Just not enough to get over the hump and win, especially the close ones against the better teams.

Saturday's EKU game was no different. We started the game with an opening touchdown drive of 70 yards to go up 7-0. The big play in the drive was a 35-yard play-action pass completion from Bobby Brune to Corey Chester.

In the next series, EKU completed a touchdown pass that was well covered, but we didn't play the ball.

Later, EKU scored on another long pass and added two field goals.

Our defense played well for the most part if the two pass plays are taken away. Kevin Meachem continued his outstanding play at linebacker. Troy Baglio made several plays while being double-teamed. He also had a blocked point-after kick.

Offensively, we moved the ball well between the 20s but had a touchdown nullified with a penalty on a Riki Smith run. Also, we were in position to score two other series and hurt ourselves with a turnover and penalties.

Corey Williams had 95 yards rushing and Dante Bryant and Mitch Fryer led the receivers.

Again effort, character and several good plays could not overcome the few plays we didn't make that accounted for the difference in the game. We are so much closer to being a solid winning team and need to make the breaks to jump into the `W' column.

Our last game will be played at SIU this Saturday in the annual Mississippi River Border War. SIU has played much like our team. They've played a lot of good teams close but they've come up short the majority of the time.

We were very fortunate in last year's game with the Salukis as we trailed 17-0 in the third quarter but rallied for a 28-17 victory.

SIU has three all-time offensive record-holders at the school in their quarterback (Kent Skornia), running back (Karlton Carpenter) and wide receiver (Cornell Craig). All of those players are very dangerous and the Salukis will be a tough test for our defense.

Carpenter will probably be the best running back our defense has faced this and it will be a big challenge to try and contain him. Skornia throws the ball well and Craig is a big-play receiver.

The Salukis' defense is much improved and more active and athletic.

We look forward to ending this season on a winning note for 19 great seniors who have worked hard in our program and for our underclassmen to begin the 1999 season preparation on a positive note.

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