INDIANS BULK UP ON OFFENSE

One question Southeast Missouri football fans won't be asking in the 1997 season is, "Where's the beef?"

The beef will be hard to miss when the Indians have the ball with a group of linemen in the 300-pound range.

On Wednesday, the first day of the signing period, Southeast added two more linemen among its nine signees. The Indians had already signed three hefty junior college offensive linemen.

"We think we satisfied some of our needs, particularly offensively," said Southeast Missouri coach John Mumford.

With the addition of Rio Hondo Community College linemen Perry Save and Paul Haloholo on Wednesday, Mumford has a group of five incoming linemen who average 304 pounds. Save, a 6-foot-3 junior, tips the scale at 320 pounds and Haloholo, a 6-2 sophomore, weighs an even 300.

Already in the fold and enrolled at Southeast are junior college transfers Carlos DeJesus (305), Patrick Sullivan (275) and Jesse Eaton (320).

The Indians, who struggled all season long offensively, were hurt by injuries to the line this past season. They also graduated two players.

"Some people say the offensive line is what makes the offense go, but I think it makes the whole team go," said Mumford. "If the running and passing games aren't going, the defense is on the field entirely too much. I think anyone that followed us last year saw that. I think we did a good job of addressing our needs there."

Mumford said a bulldozing job by Eastern Illinois made him a big believer.

"I watched Eastern Illinois and what they did to us," he said. "I'm not totally blind. The way of the world right is 300-pound guys who can step off the ball and occupy somebody."

Southeast also added three linebackers Wednesday: freshman Charlie Sorter of O'Fallon, Ill., and junior college transfers Kevin Meachem of Tyler Community and Octavio Campos of Sacramento Community College. Both Meachem and Campos will be juniors.

As expected, the Indians signed Cape Girardeau Central quarterback Bobby Brune and wide receiver/defensive back Marcus Lowe.

"We're very happy locally," said Mumford. "We think both are players of the future."

Brune, a two-year starter for Cape Central, follows in the steps of his father Greg, grandfather Charlie and uncle Lance, who all played quarterback at Southeast.

"We're proud to have his family tradition back in the program," said Mumford, who said he expected Brune to compete for a backup spot.

Southeast signed two other high school seniors, both defensive players: Defensive back Glenn Haley of Hazelwood East in St. Louis and defensive lineman Jason Dewolf of Lincoln Way High School in Frankfort, Ill.

Mumford said he still hopes to add some help at linebacker, defensive line and cornerback.

"We probably should get a couple more by the end of the week," said Mumford.

Southeast Missouri football signees

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown (High school or JC)

Bobby Brune QB 6-4 200 Fr. Cape Girardeau (Central)

Marcus Lowe WR/DB 6-2 180 Fr. Cape Girardeau (Central)

Glenn Haley DB 6-1 170 Fr. St. Louis (Hazelwood East)

Charlie Sorter LB 6-2 205 Fr. O'Fallon, Ill. (O'Fallon)

Jason DeWolf DL 6-3 235 Fr. Frankfort, Ill. (Lincoln Way)

Perry Save OL 6-3 320 Jr. Rialto, Calif. (Rio Hondo CC)

Kevin Meacham LB 6-2 222 Jr. Arlington, Texas (Tyler CC)

Paul Haloholo OL 6-2 300 So. Montclair, Calif. (Rio Hondo CC)

Octavio Campos LB 6-0 230 Jr. Marysville, Calif. (Sacramento CC)

* Carlos DeJesus OL 6-4 305 Jr. Southgate, Calif. (El Camino CC)

* Patrick Sullivan OL 6-4 275 Jr. Lancaster, Ky. (Kemper Military)

* Jesse Eaton OL 6-2 320 Jr. Hamilton, Mo. (Highland CC)

* Marcus McKinley WR 5-11 180 Jr. Compton, Calif. (El Camino CC)

* Already enrolled at Southeast for the spring semester