COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SOUTHEAST TO HONOR 1955, 1975 TEAMS AT HALFTIME TODAY

Jim Lohr admits he's liable to get a few chills today during Southeast Missouri State University's homecoming football game with Murray State.

Southeast's 1955 and 1975 football teams will be introduced at halftime on the FieldTurf of Houck Stadium. Lohr played on the undefeated 1955 squad that won a Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship and he coached the 1975 team to a MIAA title.

"It's going to be real exciting, to see all those guys," said Lohr. "They were both tremendous groups of players and people."

The 1995 squad went 9-0 under coach Kenneth Knox and was led by end John Schneider, who was named to The Associated Press Little All-America first team. Lohr, a tackle, and quarterback Larry Yeargain both were named honorable-mention All-America.

"You're darn right it was very exciting," said a laughing Lohr of that perfect campaign. "It was quite a thrill. And being on that team, and then later coaching for 25 years, those guys could have played at just about any time."

Lohr, who currently lives in Perryville, Mo., after residing in Cape Girardeau for many years, said he still gets together occasionally with some of his old teammates, including Schneider, a retired Southeast faculty member who at one time coached with Lohr and still lives in Cape Girardeau.

"I still see some of the guys," he said. "A bunch of us got together at the Murray State game five years ago. It's always good to see them, and it will be good to see them Saturday."

Indians unbeaten in 1955

Lohr remembers the 1955 Indians having a close call in their season opener, barely beating SIU 7-0. And in that game, Lohr recalls standout John Wittenborn, who went on to play in the NFL, getting injured and then later contracting polio, which forced him to miss the entire campaign, although he returned the following year.

"It was rough when we lost John, but we came back and didn't lose a game," Lohr said.

Lohr took over as head coach at Southeast in 1974 and had plenty of success, compiling six straight winning seasons from 1974-79. His second squad, in 1975, won the first of three consecutive MIAA championships.

"I had some great individuals while I coached, but that was one of the best teams I coached," said Lohr, whose final season coaching at Southeast was in 1983. "We had some outstanding players."

1975 team started slow

The 1975 Indians went 7-4 overall, losing their first four games -- all non-conference contests -- before going undefeated in MIAA play.

In that campaign, Lohr recalled that standout quarterback Rick Wieser -- who now does color commentary on the radio broadcast of Southeast's home games -- was injured late in the preseason and did not return until the fourth game. Wieser ended up passing for more than 1,000 yards.

"Rick missed three games, and the first game back, we played an outstanding Nicholls State team. Even though we lost (18-17), we went on to have a tremendous season," Lohr said. "Rick was as good as any quarterback as ever has been there. He could throw the ball and run the option and he always made good decisions."

A prominent roster

Perhaps the most well-known player on the 1975 team was kicker Mike Wood, who kicked 15 field goals and led the squad in scoring with 70 points. Wood went on to have a solid career in the NFL and is one of only three Southeast players to have his number retired.

Many key members of the squad either were local products or have made their home in the area. Lohr pointed out that three of the top receivers -- leader Terry Slattery, David Goncher and Randy Roddy -- all live in Cape Girardeau. Tight end Carl Gross is the head coach at Jackson High School. Defensive back Jim Limbaugh lives in Cape.

"Jerry Dement (former Cape Central head coach and current Sikeston assistant) and Don Porter (former Cape Central assistant) were our safeties. Bob Stolzer (Ste. Genevieve head coach) was a guard," said Lohr. "And I had fine assistant coaches in Gary Lynch, Dutch Meyr and Kenny Hargens. They were as good as anybody."