FRESHMEN, NEWSCOMERS TO REPORT ON FRIDAY

Southeast Missouri State University head football coach John Mumford has been busy with administrative duties for much of the summer and he still has a few details to take care of, including attending Thursday's Ohio Valley Conference Media Day in Nashville, Tenn.

But it won't be long before Mumford and his assistants can partake in the main reasons most of them became coaches in the first place -- to get on the field and work with their players.

Preseason practice is just about upon the Indians. Things will begin happening around the Southeast camp Friday when approximately 30 freshmen and other newcomers report. About 60 veterans will come in Monday, with full-scale, two-a-day workouts set to begin Wednesday.

"There are always a lot of things that have to be done, with meetings and preparation work, that coaches don't really like to do all that much," said a laughing Mumford. "Coaches would rather be on the field with their players and we're looking forward to getting everybody in here and getting practice started.

"This is always an exciting time of the year. You're anxious to see the players and you're looking forward to getting them on the field."

Newcomers who report Friday will have about four practices among themselves. The veterans will have various conditioning and strength tests Monday and Tuesday, followed by the start of full-squad workouts.

Under NCAA regulations, the first six practices over the first three days will feature limited padding and contact. Full-contact drills will begin Aug. 14.

Mumford said he is confident that most of his players will report in relatively good shape.

"We had about 40 who stayed here over the summer, including some newcomers, and they worked real hard," he said. "I know those guys will be in good shape and I understand the others should be in pretty good shape also."

Once again this season, the Indians will attempt to prove preseason predictions wrong.

Mumford acknowledges that not much is expected from his team, which went 3-8 last year and finished seventh in the eight-team OVC.

Southeast, which has won just 15 games over the past four seasons, has been again picked seventh in the OVC in every preseason poll and Thursday's official league poll, based on voting by head coaches and sports information directors, will also likely tab the Indians for seventh.

"We've brought that on ourselves (by struggling the last few years)," said Mumford of the preseason polls. "That's to be expected."

When the full squad reports in a few days, Mumford will have a team mixed with key returnees and young players who will be counted on to fill vital roles.

The Indians lost 10 starters from last season and many of them were among the team's top players. Thirteen starters return.

"A big key is to get some young kids playing like veterans," Mumford said. "The early practices are always important, whether you have veterans or newcomers."

Southeast's schedule has been called the toughest in school history. Said Mumford, "The schedule is tough, but certainly not indomitable."

The Indians open the season Sept. 2 when Southern Illinois makes the trip from Carbondale for a Thursday night game at Houck Stadium.

INDIAN NOTES: Linebacker Donovan Laviness, a transfer from Tulsa, has been picked by Street & Smith Magazine as the OVC's top newcomer...

Two newcomers were officially added to the roster in recent weeks and Mumford has high hopes for both.

Rashad West, a transfer from Hofstra, is reported to be an exciting athlete who can play a variety of positions, including quarterback.

Kyle Piper, a transfer from Missouri, should be a key player along the defensive line.