INDIAN 'D' INSERTS NEW BRICKS IN WALL

It is largely because he believes so much in the abilities of his defensive coordinator that Southeast Missouri State University football coach John Mumford still expects the Indians to field a rugged defense in 1998 -- even though they lost some of their best players off that unit.

Gone from last year's solid defense are five of the top six tacklers, including Division I-AA All-American lineman Angel Rubio and Ronnie Smith, a four-year starter in the secondary.

All told, the Indians return just five defensive starters, which means that fall practices are containing plenty of fierce competition for regular positions.

But Mumford has the utmost confidence in the type of defensive unit that Charles Sabbatini -- in his sixth season as Southeast's defensive boss -- will send out on the field.

And Mumford also has great confidence in the work performed by the main coaches under Sabbatini -- defensive line coach Jay Thomas and secondary coach Dave Dumars. Southeast's defensive coaches are the assistants who have by far been with the Indians' program the longest.

"Our defense has got a great tradition that coach Sab has started here," said Mumford. "We have had a lot of continuity here with our defensive coaches and I think that's made a major difference in the type of defense we've been able to put out on the field the last few years.

"We don't have the so-called marquee player we've had in the past -- there is no Angel Rubio -- but I'll go to war with the guys we have."

The Indians do return two of four down linemen who helped Southeast rank 23rd nationally against the run last season.

Leading the way up front are second-team all-Ohio Valley Conference performer Troy Baglio and Marcus McClellan.

Baglio, entering his fourth season as a starter, was third on last year's team in tackles with 62, including seven for losses and three quarterback sacks. He should be one of the OVC's premier defensive linemen. McClellan tied Rubio with a team-high seven sacks.

Brad Richardson, who saw quite a bit of action last year, will move into Rubio's position while former Missouri player Darren Keely moves in at noseguard.

Others battling for positions up front are returning lettermen Eric David and Joel Becker, along with converted offensive lineman Cornelius Jackson and redshirt freshman Jason DeWolf.

Local product Gabe Jenkins (Cape Central), seventh in tackles last year with 48, is the only full-time returning starter at linebacker but Kevin Meachem started some and came on toward the end of last season and Terrance Sterling (Cape Central), a starter in 1996, is healthy again after missing all of last year with a leg injury.

Another part-time linebacker starter from last year is David Bowling while Octavio Campos also saw action a year ago.

Junior-college transfer Jeremy Atwell had a strong spring and is vying for a starting position at linebacker while several other players also could figure into the mix.

Fred Hambrick, a first-team all-OVC cornerback last year who ranked 31st nationally in interceptions with five, will anchor a secondary that will be a blend of veterans and newcomers.

Returning lettermen Brian Hinton and Andre Clark, along with redshirt freshman Glenn Haley, are also battling at cornerback.

Hard-hitting John Smith (Jackson) returns at strong safety after starting much of last season and he will be pushed by redshirt freshman Leotis Belcher.

Returning lettermen Joe Williams and Isaac Powell are in the mix at free safety while junior-college transfer Skye Howard and talented true freshman Steve Nance, who has been opening plenty of eyes so far, could also push his way into the mix.

As for punter, that's a major question mark after the graduation of Justin Terrill, last year's premier OVC punter who also ranked among the best in the nation.

The punting spot is wide open, with true freshman Justin Keen (Jackson) and Chip Hirth among the prime candidates.

INDIAN NOTES: Southeast practiced in full pads for the first time Saturday, when two-a-days continued. Mumford generally liked what he saw from the morning and late afternoon workouts.

"I like the way everybody is working," he said. "I think things are coming along well."

Although it remains to be seen how much action any of them will see, Mumford has been particularly pleased with the freshmen, a group that includes several local products.

"We've got some impressive looking freshmen, some guys that physically don't really look like freshmen," he said. "It's a talented bunch but we'll just have to see how they fit into the picture for this year...

The Indians will enter their last week of two-a-days this week. Only one practice will be held starting Aug. 24, the day Southeast's fall semester begins.