INDIANS BEGIN TURNING THEIR ATTENTION TO TSU (SEMO NOTES)

Southeast Missouri State University's football Indians are understandably still excited about Saturday's big 29-24 win at Tennessee Tech -- but head coach John Mumford realizes they have to calm down in a hurry.

Up next for the Indians is a home game against Tennessee State -- which is coming off a mighty big win of its own. The Tigers stunned heavy Ohio Valley Conference favorite Eastern Kentucky 31-21 on the road Saturday.

The Indians (3-3 overall, 2-2 OVC) and Tigers (3-2, 1-1) will square off at 1 p.m. Saturday at Houck Stadium in Southeast's next-to-last home game of the season.

"Tennessee State is a great team," said Mumford during his weekly media conference Monday morning. "Not many people go to Eastern Kentucky and win. They're going to be very jacked up when they come in here."

Of course, the Indians figure to be plenty jacked up themselves after their big win at Tennessee Tech.

Mumford was still raving about the touchdown catch that wide receiver Corey Chester made with 5:58 left in the fourth quarter that gave the Indians the lead for good.

Chester hauled in a 20-yard pass from quarterback Bobby Brune with one hand -- and despite being blanketed by two defenders who interfered with him on the play.

"Corey made a one-handed catch with two people on him in the end zone," said Mumford. "I don't think I've seen a catch like that in a while."

Southeast's defense limited Tennessee Tech to 210 yards of total offense. The Indians had only 249 yards but came up with enough big plays to prevail.

"Our defense did a super job of fighting off poor field position much of the game and our offense made plays when we had to," Mumford said. "It was a heck of a win for us."

To gain another big win this week, the Indians will have to at least slow down Tennessee State's high-powered offense that is led by quarterback Leon Murray, who has passed for 1,496 yards and leads the nation in total offense at 309 yards per game.

Tennessee State leads the OVC in total offense with 451.4 yards per game, which ranks eighth nationally.

"They're fun to watch but tough to defend," said Mumford. "They throw the ball all over the field. It should be a great game for the fans to watch. A big crowd would really lift our players."

* Brune, a redshirt freshman who had another solid game at Tennessee Tech, leads the OVC in passing efficiency with a rating of 171.6. He would rank second nationally if he had the minimum attempts.

For the season, the former Cape Girardeau Central High standout is 28 of 43 for 410 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. He is scheduled to make his second straight start Saturday.

Chester, a sophomore, ranks seventh nationally in kickoff returns with an average of 29.1 yards per return. He leads the OVC in that category.

Sophomore defensive back Isaac Powell, who had his third interception against Tennessee Tech, ranks second in the OVC in that category.

Defensively, lineman Troy Baglio is third in the OVC in tackles with 52 and he's second in tackles for loss with nine.

The Indians have three of the OVC's top eight tacklers. Linebacker Kevin Meachem is tied for fifth with 48 while safety John Smith -- a former Jackson High star -- is tied for seventh with 46.

* As a team, Southeast leads the OVC in rushing defense and ranks second in pass efficiency defense and total defense.

The Indians are allowing 115 yards per game on the ground and 284 yards total. Southeast is ranked 19th nationally in total defense.

Offensively, the Indians are second in rushing offense with 167 yards per game.

* On the injury front, leading rusher Corey Williams could return to action against Tennessee State.

Williams has missed the past two games with a dislocated elbow but he has shown great improvement and is probable this week.

* There are a number of special promotions for Saturday's game.

Southeast athletics will join colleges and universities across the country in two nationwide programs.

`Take a Kid to the Game' will allow two children to attend the game free with each paid adult admission. Southeast will also join the American Football Coaches Association in issuing `Inkless Fingerprint Identification Packets' to parents as they leave the stadium.

During halftime, Southeast athletics, along with selected sponsors, will give four contestants a chance to win a 1998 Ford Ranger. Registration forms are available at Ford Groves, Blimpie's in Cape Girardeau and Jackson and at Shoe Carnival in Cape Girardeau.

Also, the Student Athletic Promotions Board will sponsor Greek Day. For every student who attends the game wearing their fraternity/sorority letters, the board will donate $1 to the favorite charity of that fraternity or sorority.