Indians' 2-0 start built on key plays

Southeast Missouri State University has by no means been perfect in its first two games. Far from it.

And the Indians have certainly not beaten any powerhouses. Arkansas-Monticello, which Southeast defeated 42-41 in double-overtime in the opener, is a Division II team that went 5-6 last year. Southern Illinois, which fell to the Indians 21-14 Saturday in Carbondale, was 1-10 a year ago.

But the bottom line for the Indians is this: They are 2-0 for the first time since 1990. And they have come through in highly pressurized situations to pull out both victories.

Against Arkansas-Monticello, Southeast needed to convert on fourth down in the final minutes of regulation to keep its tying touchdown drive alive and force overtime.

Saturday, the Indians saw a 14-0 lead entering the fourth quarter evaporate as SIU scored the tying touchdown with 2:03 left. After receiving the kickoff, Southeast faced third-and-four at its 26-yard line. With SIU holding all the momentum, the Indians might very well have lost had they been forced to punt.

But a draw play by sophomore tailback Corey Kinsey netted the first down. And a few plays later, junior quarterback Jack Tomco hit senior wide receiver Willie Ponder on a 38-yard touchdown pass with 49 seconds left to break the tie.

Team believes this year

"I don't know if we would have won these kinds of games last year," said Southeast coach Tim Billings, whose squad was haunted by numerous close losses in going 4-7 last season. "I think the guys really believe in themselves this year."

Ponder, who caught nine passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns Saturday, agreed.

"We all believe in each other," Ponder said. "We have confidence we're going to come through when the game is on the line."

Tomco, who will be counted on to direct the offense now that Jeromy McDowell has been lost for the season with a knee injury, completed 15 of 23 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions.

"We know Jack can do the job," Ponder said.

The performances by Ponder and Tomco netted them two of the Ohio Valley Conference's weekly honors released Sunday. Ponder is the offensive player of the week while Tomco is the newcomer of the week.

Bolstered by a strong performance from the offensive line, particularly in the first half, Kinsey continued his sensational beginning to the season. After rushing for 180 yards in his first career start against Arkansas-Monticello, he had 133 yards Saturday.

Southeast's defense wore done some in the second half, perhaps due in part to SIU having the ball much of the time. Still, the defense came up with numerous big plays even though the Salukis wound up with a 337 to 295 edge in total yardage.

And now the Indians will take plenty of momentum into Saturday's game at Division I-A Eastern Michigan (0-2), which Southeast almost upset last year. The Indians will be shooting for their first 3-0 start since 1958.

"This should really give us a lot of confidence going up to Eastern Michigan," Tomco said.