COACH'S VIEW: ENCORE ACT IS TOUGH AFTER TWO GREAT WINS

Where do we go from here?

It will be hard to top the last two weeks. We've created a tough act to follow.

WOW! In my 20 years of collegiate coaching, the last two Southeast games have been the most exciting football games I've ever been involved in. I have been fortunate to be in a lot of big games like Oklahoma vs. Nebraska, Missouri vs. Brigham Young in the Holiday Bowl, and national championship games. Never, though, have I been in games as exciting as our wins over Southern Illinois and Illinois State.

Our past two opponents had quality football teams who put up impressive stats. If you just look at the stats there is no way we should have won, but with magic dust, smoke and mirrors and a dedicated group of young me who just wouldn't give up, we got two great wins to put us at 2-1 for the season.

Our players have bought into the belief that if you work hard and believe in yourself, you can be a winner in football and in life.

It is a great feeling to know how these young men have achieved success the last two weeks. When I arrived on campus, our players had a hard time looking you in the face, but now, after hard work and success, they are starting to walk with a swagger. They are developing individually and as a team. They now have a purpose in what they do. They feel good about how they are representing the University and the area.

The enthusiasm of our crowd last Saturday night played a big factor in our win over a very talented Illinois State team. One of their backs told a newspaper after the game that he couldn't hear an audible when they were down on our goal line and the result was a busted played and a 7-yard loss that played a big part in our victory.

The enthusiasm of the crowd transcended to our players and they played with a renewed enthusiasm. So all of you who were at the game played a part in our win!

The past two weeks it has been David against Goliath and we have used two stones to slay Goliath. This week we have to find another stone because another Goliath is coming to Houck Stadium.

Western Kentucky is 2-0, ranked 24th nationally, averages 47 points per game and is the only team in college football to not allow a point this season. We have to be ready to stand up with total confidence and belief in ourselves in order to triumph. We have found a way to win the last two weeks, but we still need a lot of improvement as a football team. We have to improve each week.

We need an ever larger and more enthusiastic crowd on Saturday night. It will be a great evening of entertainment with another great football game and a concert by Davy Jones, formerly of the Monkees. What a great night. I was a huge Monkees fan when I was growing up. I know all the words to their songs.

If we can find one more stone for Goliath, we can all really enjoy the Monkees music of Davy Jones.

Tim Billings is the head football coach at Southeast Missouri State University.