DEFENSE COMING TO HOMECOMING; SE, TECH TO MATCH STOUT OVC DEFENSES

When Southeast Missouri State University football coach John Mumford says today's homecoming opponent is much better than its record, he's not just blowing smoke.

Tennessee Tech, which visits Houck Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff, doesn't on the surface appear to be all that imposing at 2-2.

But a further inspection of the Eagles shows they just might be one of the better teams in the Ohio Valley Conference. As far as the numbers go, Tech does boast the best defense in the league, although Mumford is partial to his own.

"Tennessee Tech is a tremendous football team with an awesome defense," said Mumford. "I kind of like our defense, but there's no question Tech's defense is tremendous. And they've got a dangerous offense."

The Eagles are 0-1 in OVC play, having lost 10-7 to Eastern Illinois two weeks ago despite dominating the statistics.

Southeast is 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the OVC. The Indians are coming off a 32-7 home loss to Eastern Illinois last Saturday.

"We just have to bounce back from the Eastern Illinois game with a great effort," said Mumford. "If we win this game, we're 3-3 at the midpoint of the season, with five games left. That still gives us an opportunity to have a great season. We have to take advantage of it."

Mumford knows that won't be easy against a Tech program that appears to have been rejuvenated under second-year head coach Mike Hennigan, a former Tech assistant and standout player who also spent some time in the NFL.

Hennigan led the Eagles to a 5-6 record last year that included a 30-20 comeback win over Southeast in Cookeville, Tenn. And so far this season Tech has been impressive, with both its losses coming by a field goal against quality opposition.

Although Tech's offense has shown marked improvement lately, defense is by far the Eagles' strength. They lead the OVC in rushing defense (64 yards per game), total defense (229.3 yards per game) and scoring defense (8.3 points per game).

Tech is also ninth, seventh and second in the nation, respectively, in those three categories.

"They're not as fancy with their defense as Eastern Illinois, they just try to physically beat you," Mumford said. "They just basically line up and say, `mine is better than yours.' "

Brannon Vaughn, an extremely quick if undersized defensive end at 226 pounds, leads Tech up front with six sacks (second-best in the OVC) and 13 tackles for loss (tops in the OVC).

Eddie Arnell, a 272-pound defensive tackle, is third in the OVC with four sacks and eighth in the league with seven tackles for loss.

The Eagles also feature a standout group of linebackers, led by Sammy Sanders, who is fifth in the OVC with 47 tackles.

Offensively, Tech relies heavily on athletic quarterback Andre Caballero, who leads the Eagles in both passing (635 yards) and rushing (197 yards). He is third in the OVC in total offense with an average of 208 yards per game.

"They like to spread you out and Caballero is very slippery," said Mumford. "He throws well and runs the option very well. He's a guy we have to contain."

Southeast counters with a pretty solid defense of its own, ranking third in rushing defense (101 ypg) and fourth in total defense (286 ypg).

Preseason All-America tackle Angel Rubio, who is drawing plenty of attention from pro scouts, is second in the OVC in both tackles (62) and tackles for loss (11).

Linebacker Zuri Buchanan ranks third in tackles (48) while cornerback Fred Hambrick is tied for second in interceptions (3) and end Damon Hendrick is first in fumble recoveries (3).

Offense has been the Indians' problem. They rank next-to-last in the OVC in total offense with just 235.6 yards per game and were especially inept against Eastern Illinois, gaining just 144 yards, with half of that total coming late when the outcome had already been decided.

Despite those numbers, Hennigan is taking nothing for granted.

"Southeast Missouri is always a tough game. They have a number of transfers and they have high hopes for the season," he said. "It's a tough trip for us, but it should be an interesting game if our kids respond as they have all year."

Tennessee Tech at SEMO

Probable Starters

SEMO Offense

TE - Mitch Fryer 6-2 240 Jr.

LT - Ian Walters 6-3 280 So.

LG - James Williams 6-2 275 Jr.

C - Chris Kiefer 6-3 270 So.

RG - Jessie Eaton 6-3 320 Jr.

RT - Dan Clauss 6-4 250 Jr.

WR - Leslie Weaver 5-10 190 Fr.

WR - Dante Bryant 6-1 190 Jr.

QB - Justin Martini 6-1 205 Sr.

FB - Britt Mirgaux 6-1 228 Jr.

TB - K.D. Koloesho 5-10 195 So.

PK - Eric Warren 5-7 190 Sr.

SEMO Defense

DL - Angel Rubio 6-3 290 Sr.

DL - Troy Baglio 6-1 280 Jr.

DL - Damon Hendrick 6-5 260 Sr.

DL - Marcus McClellan 6-3 250 Jr.

LB - Gabe Jenkins 6-0 230 Jr.

LB - Zuri Buchanan 6-0 240 So.

LB - Chris Justice 6-2 235 So.

CB - Fred Hambrick 5-10 180 Jr.

CB - Willie Davis 5-11 190 Sr.

FS - Michael Reece 6-1 200 Sr.

SS - Ronnie Smith 5-9 195 Sr.

P - Justin Terrill 6-2 185 Sr.

TT Defense

DL - Jamie McBryar 6-3 245 Sr.

DL - Eddie Arnell 6-4 272 Jr.

DL - Josh Harris 6-1 246 Jr.

DL - Brannon Vaughn 6-1 226 So.

LB - Sammy Sanders 6-1 237 Sr.

LB - Trent McNaull 6-2 225 Sr.

LB - Jeff Norman 6-3 233 Sr.

CB - Virgil Kirkland 5-10 160 Jr.

CB - Reggie Knighten 5-10 165 So.

FS - Corey Chamblin 5-11 188 Jr.

SS - Josh Symonette 5-10 190 So.

P - Mark Skiles 6-3 189 Jr.

TT Offense

TE - Brad Taylor 6-2 214 Jr.

LT - Andrew McGraw 6-5 284 Fr.

LG - Mark Williams 6-1 265 So.

C - Matt Heinlen 6-3 305 So.

RG - Gary McVicar 6-3 300 So.

RT - Wes Gallagher 6-2 265 So.

WR - Walter Hill 6-3 180 So.

WR - Tony Fragale 5-11 165 So.

QB - Andre Caballero 6-2 184 Sr.

FB - T.J. Christian 5-10 214 Jr.

TB - Brant Billen 5-9 178 So.

PK - Casey Roberts 5-7 173 So.