In climb back, Eastern Kentucky is big test

We dug ourselves a hole by losing our first conference game, and the result is that all the remaining games on our schedule are key must-win games.

The biggest and toughest of our remaining games will probably be Saturday at Eastern Kentucky.

There's no doubt EKU is one of the top teams in the OVC, and the Colonels are especially tough at home. We were the last team to beat them in Richmond, winning 35-31 in Roy Kidd's final game at Roy Kidd Stadium. It was probably the biggest win ever for our program, and I'm sure they remember the loss.

The fact that we won last season at Roy Kidd Stadium should give our players confidence they can win there. EKU has lost only two home games in the last three seasons and is unbeaten at home this season. The Colonels are 3-4 overall, but 2-1 in the OVC and 2-0 at home.

Our players worked hard last week even though we didn't have a game, and I think we continued to improve as a team even though we won't really know until we line up against Eastern Kentucky. The players seemed to have a little more zip in their step last week after the win over Eastern Illinois.

We got off on the wrong foot offensively this season, but we are improving and trying to catch up. We will have a real test Saturday, because I think EKU has the best defense in the OVC.

EKU has been a little up and down this season, but they always play tough at home. They have a great football tradition at EKU, and they are used to winning every home game. After Roy Kidd's retirement, the Colonels brought in Danny Hope, a former EKU player who had been an assistant at Louisville, Purdue, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Eastern Kentucky.

You can tell the players are learning a new system, but they have adapted well. They have outstanding players, including running backs Terry Enis and C.J. Hudson and wide receivers Allan Evans and Andre Ralston. Their quarterback, Matt Guice, is a very mobile quarterback who can hurt you with the run or the pass. On defense, they are loaded with good players, including middle linebacker Justen Rivers who is outstanding.

They also excel on special teams. Last week in a 41-0 win at Eastern Illinois, they had an 87-yard punt return by Evans for a touchdown. Saturday's game is big for this year's team and our football program.

With the win over Eastern Illinois, we are starting to dig out of the hole we created. We can't afford to slide back. We have to continue to climb out.

Going into the Eastern Illinois game, the pressure was on and we knew we had to win. Well, after a week off, the pressure is back on because we have to win at Eastern Kentucky. To win the OVC, you have to be able to win on the road, and that is our objective this week.

A win over EKU would give us a great springboard into the final games of our season, including the Oct. 25 Hall of Fame game with Murray State.

Tim Billings is the head football coach at Southeast Missouri State University.