Defense prepares for next step

Southeast Missouri State University defensive coordinator Shannon Morrison doesn't beat around the bush when it comes to his squad's expectations.

If the Indians are going to build on last year's 8-4 season, the defense likely must emerge as one of the Ohio Valley Conference's best.

"I think, for us as a team to go to the next level, it will be on our shoulders," Morrison said. "I think this team will go as far as the defense will take us, and I feel confident we will have a very good defense this year."

His players agree.

"No doubt, defense is the key," defensive end Ryan Roth said. "The challenge is definitely to the defense. Everybody knows what the offense will do -- put up big numbers. But now we have to do our part."

The Indians have steadily improved defensively since coach Tim Billings' first Southeast team was shredded for nearly 450 yards and 37 points per game in 2000, but Southeast's "D" has lagged well behind the squad's high-powered offense.

"Our offense gets all the accolades, and they should because they're tremendous," Morrison said. "But now it's time for us to step up."

Southeast ranked fourth in last year's seven-team OVC in total defense, allowing just over 387 yards per game, which Morrison figures is too much. The Indians were third in scoring defense, but their average points allowed of just over 29 points per contest was also nothing to brag about, said Morrison.

Gone from last year's defense is tackle James Jennette, the only first-team all-OVC pick the unit had. But nine starters return, and four of them -- Roth, linebacker Ricky Farmer, cornerback Dimitri Patterson and cornerback Marco Tipton -- were second-team all-conference.

All that returning experience, coupled with the fact the Indians had several stellar defensive performances last year -- most notably during stunning wins at Division I-A Middle Tennessee and perennial OVC power Eastern Kentucky, which Southeast had never beaten -- has the group optimistic.

"I think the talent has been there, but last year we were still young," Morrison said. "They've all gotten bigger, stronger and faster. I think the big thing is everybody on defense, they can all run."

Said Roth, "There's no reason we can't consistently play at the level we played at in our top games last year. If we can find that consistency, I think we can be really good defensively."

Billings agrees Southeast's defense must improve several notches for the Indians to reach their goals -- which include the program's first OVC title and Division I-AA playoff berth, if not more -- but that's fine with Morrison and company.

"I look for a lot of improvement from our defense this year," said linebacker O.J. Turner, a Central High School product. "We know we're going to be a big key to the season, and we're ready for it."

Added Roth, "The first day we reported, coach Morrison talked about how it's on the defense this year. We welcome that challenge."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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