COLLEGE FOOTBALL: INDIANS SEARCH FOR 1ST OVC WIN AGAINST RACERS

As a team that has struggled in recent years, and with a new coaching staff in place, Southeast Missouri State University's football Indians were expected to find the going a bit rough this season.

And that is exactly what has happened so far. Entering today's homecoming game against Murray State, the Indians are 2-4 overall and 0-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference. They have suffered three straight losses.

As a squad that has been one of the OVC's best in recent years, however, Murray State was expected to have another banner season and challenge for the conference championship.

But the Racers -- who, like Southeast, have a new head coach -- have not held true to form. They are just 3-4 overall and 1-2 in OVC play as they have been virtually eliminated from contention for the league crown.

The Indians and Racers will both look to right their respective ships in a 1 p.m. kickoff at Houck Stadium.

"I really feel like our off week was good for us and I think we're ready to go into the second part of the season," said Southeast coach Tim Billings, whose squad had an open date last Saturday. "I think we got a lot accomplished and we were able to get pretty healthy.

"We'd like to start off the second part of the season and really set the tone for the rest of the year and next year."

While Southeast is anxious to get going again after an open date, Murray State is looking to wipe away the bitter taste of last Saturday's 48-7 loss at the hands of conference foe Eastern Illinois that sent the Racers tumbling in the OVC standings.

"I'm embarrassed. About the way we played, everything," Murray State coach Joe Pannunzio told the Paducah (Ky.) Sun following Saturday's rout. "The rest of the way we're just playing for pride. That should be what we're playing for anyway. I know that we'll find out a lot about the character of this team in the next few weeks."

The loss to Eastern Illinois was Murray State's worst defeat in OVC play since Middle Tennessee State romped 66-6 in 1992. The Racers finished 2-9 that year, which marked the end of coach Mike Mahoney's days in Murray, Ky.

Since that dismal 1992 campaign, the Racers have thrived. They won consecutive league titles in 1995 and 1996 under current Arkansas coach Houston Nutt and have finished in at least a tie for second place in the OVC in each of the past three seasons.

Still, despite Murray State's apparent problems this year, when Billings looks at the Racers, he sees a very talented team that is filled with quality athletes.

"I don't really know about those guys. They've played well at times and not so well at times," Billings said. "But they have some great athletes."

Even though the Racers struggled to move the ball against Eastern Illinois -- they had just 203 total yards -- offense has definitely been their strength so far this season.

Led by redshirt freshman quarterback Stewart Childress, the Racers are second in the OVC in total offense with 409 yards per game and they lead the league in passing offense with 249 yards a contest.

Childress is having a sensational rookie season. Although he had a streak of five straight 200-yard passing games snapped by Eastern Illinois, he continues to lead the OVC in total offense (246 yards per game) and passing. Childress has completed 133 of 238 passes (56 percent) for 1,729 yards, with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Shaun Boykins and Michael Slater rank second and third in the OVC in receptions, with 32 and 28, respectively. Slater has scored seven touchdowns.

And on the ground, Arkansas transfer Mario Riley is second in the OVC in rushing, having gained 586 yards while averaging a healthy 7.5 yards per carry.

"Their quarterback is an excellent football player. He's had a great season and he's very impressive for a young kid," said Billings. "Their receivers are excellent and they've got a really good running back.

"They've got an excellent offense. They scored 38 points against (league-leading) Western Kentucky. That shows you what kind of offense they have."

Defensively, the Racers have struggled just like the Indians. Murray State is giving up 400 yards per game to rank sixth in the eight-team league. Southeast is seventh in total defense, allowing 439 yards a contest.

Southeast, which has lost the last seven meetings against the Racers, has not been tearing things up offensively, but Billings figures the Indians' offense has a chance to get untracked today, partly because Murray State has struggled defensively and partly because quarterback Rashad West finally looks healthy after missing several games with various injuries.

Although Bobby Brune will again start at quarterback for Southeast, Billings said West will also play.

"This is the healthiest Rashad has been since the first game of the season," said Billings. "We'll play them both and see how they do. Bobby has done a really good job for us and it's nice to also have Rashad back."

While Billings hopes his defense can be solid, he also knows the possibility is there for a real shootout today, which is something the fans should enjoy.

"I think both teams could score a lot of points," he said. "If we play well, I think it will be a great, exciting game."