Experienced Southeast offense resumes record chase

There wasn't much wrong with Southeast Missouri State University's offense last year when the Indians lit up scoreboards in record fashion.

The Indians' offense set 28 school marks while averaging 447 yards and 34.7 points per game -- figures that ranked seventh in the nation among NCAA Division I-AA programs.

Although All-American wide receiver Willie Ponder completed his eligibility and will be difficult to replace, most of the other key offensive components return on a unit likely to give opposing defenses fits once again.

"We just have to fine-tune our offense some and hopefully get the same kind of production we had last year," Southeast coach Tim Billings said. "I'm really excited about our offense again."

So is Southeast offensive coordinator Russ Martin, whose group returns nine regulars.

"We know we have a great foundation and a great group of returners," he said. "Every year you have to develop new chemistry, and that's so important, but at this point our expectations are higher than they were last year."

A position-by-position look at Southeast's offense:

QuarterbackBy far one of the deepest positions on the team as the Indians feature three legitimate starters.

In fact, the quarterback spot is so stacked that senior Jack Tomco -- who rewrote the Southeast record book last year with nine school marks, including throwing for 3,132 yards and 29 touchdowns -- is not even certain to start today's season opener.

Billings said all three of his quarterbacks were impressive enough during preseason practice that he wouldn't name a starter until the day of the first game.

Tomco, who completed 65 percent of his passes and ranked eighth nationally in passing efficiency while earning second-team all-Ohio Valley Conference honors, is in a battle with juniors Jeromy McDowell and Andrew Goodenough.

McDowell passed for a freshman school-record 2,051 yards in 2001 and was expected to be last year's starter before a season-ending knee injury in the opener paved the way for Tomco.

Goodenough is a transfer from Arizona State who played in last year's opener at Nebraska and was rated the nation's top junior-college quarterback two years ago.

"We've got three great quarterbacks, and it's a good situation for us to be in," Martin said.

Running backJunior Corey Kinsey is Southeast's only returning running back, but he's coming off an impressive year that saw him gain 1,067 yards while averaging 4.5 yards per carry to make second-team all-OVC. He is just the fourth player in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season.

Several other runners stood out during preseason practice, including redshirt freshman Bobby Dorsainvil, junior-college transfer David Taufoou and true freshman Elton Peterson. All likely will see action.

The Indians primarily have utilized just one running back, but they probably will use more two-back sets this year. When that happens, junior John Paul Usrey -- a converted defensive end -- will be at fullback while true freshman Adam Casper, from Anna-Jonesboro (Ill.) High School, should see playing time.

Wide receiver

Despite losing the record-setting Ponder, the Indians return several of last year's key receivers.

Leading the way are junior Chris NesSmith, who was second behind Ponder with 38 receptions, good for 432 yards and four touchdowns, and sophomore Bill Coleman, who as a redshirt freshman caught 32 passes -- fourth on the squad -- for 297 yards and three touchdowns.

The third starter is sophomore Jamel Oliver, who came on toward the end of his true-freshman season by catching six passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Projected as backups are two players who played sparingly last year: junior Brandon Amick from Scott City High School and sophomore T.J. Milcic, along with junior Anthony Gilliam, a transfer from Texas Christian who saw limited action with the Horned Frogs.

Talented true freshmen Nikelya Dennis, Antonio Scaife and Scott NesSmith -- who is Chris NesSmith's younger brother -- also could figure into the mix.

Tight endThree experienced players return, led by junior Ray Goodson from Jackson High School. Goodson caught 17 passes for 130 yards and three touchdowns last year. He also will play fullback in certain formations.

Seniors Graham Goodfield and Chuck McElroy -- a former starter -- caught seven and five passes, respectively.

Offensive lineAll five starters return from a unit considered to be one of the OVC's best, and three of them -- senior center Eugene Amano, junior tackle Dan Connolly and junior guard Dan Bieg -- were second-team all-conference last year.

Rounding out a line that averages more than 300 pounds per player are senior tackle Justen Meyer and junior guard Taurean Robinson.

Also returning is senior Eric Krauss, a part-time starter at guard and tackle last season. Bieg was held out of full-contact drills for much of the preseason because of a thumb injury, which allowed true freshman Austin Russell and senior Ron Byias, a converted defensive tackle, to gain valuable experience. Bieg has been cleared to play and should start in the opener.

Kicker

Junior Derek Kutz from St. Vincent High School in Perryville returns for his third season as the starter after hitting eight of 14 field goals and 50 of 52 extra points last year. His 50 conversions set a school record.

For his Southeast career, Kutz is 15 of 22 in field goals.

mmishow@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 132