INDIANS CLOSE OUT WITH TENNESSE ST.

Tennessee State's football team doesn't have the best record in the Ohio Valley Conference. Far from it.

But as far as pure talent goes, Southeast Missouri State University coach John Mumford says the Tigers rank right up there with some of the nation's better NCAA Division I-AA squads.

"Personnel and talent-wise, Tennessee State is probably as good as there is in I-AA," said Mumford.

The Indians will try to put the shackles on that talent -- and close out the year on a winning note -- in today's 1 p.m. season-ending game at Houck Stadium.

Even though both teams have long been eliminated from being any kind of a factor in the OVC race, each squad still should have plenty to play for.

First, there is for both squads the obvious incentive of wanting to end on a winning note and letting their seniors close their college careers with a victory.

For Southeast (4-6 overall, 1-5 OVC), the Indians can finish the year with a two-game winning streak and at least take away some of the sting from what was a disappointing season.

For TSU (3-7 overall, 3-3 OVC), the Tigers still have a chance to finish as high as fourth in the eight-team OVC, which would be no small accomplishment. A win today assures TSU of at least a share of fourth place.

"I think there's enough riding on this game for both teams," Mumford said. "It would be great for us to go out with a win, not just for the seniors but for the whole team."

In order for the Indians to prevail, Mumford knows his team will have to slow down TSU's high-powered offense. The Tigers possess some of the best skill-position players in the OVC and boast the league's top-rated passing attack.

TSU averages 254 yards per game through the air and 356 yards a game overall.

"They're the most explosive team I've seen on film this year," said Mumford. "All I had to do was take one look at their wide receivers.

"They have a lot of weapons you have to account for. We have to make them drive and not give up any cheap ones."

Tigers' quarterback Leon Murray has completed 125 of 233 passes (54 percent) for 1,868 yards and 12 touchdowns, with 13 interceptions.

Todd Valentine, a second TSU quarterback who has been seeing a lot of action lately, is 38 of 87 (42 percent) for 618 yards, with five touchdowns and four interceptions.

TSU's Tyrone Butterfield has caught 46 passes and is averaging nearly 18 yards per reception while teammate Juan Hall has 35 catches for nearly 15 yards a pop.

In addition, the Tigers have a dangerous tailback in Calvin Davenport, who has 696 yards and averages 5.1 yards a carry.

"Their quarterback and wide receivers are outstanding and their tailback is the real deal," said Mumford. "They're just very dangerous and we're going to have our hands full."

Defensively, although the Tigers possess some impressive individuals, they've struggled as a unit. TSU allows an average of 373 yards a game to rank near the bottom of the OVC.

With the way Southeast's offense came alive during last Saturday's 28-17 win over Southern Illinois -- the Indians had 490 yards -- this could be a favorable matchup for the Tribe.

"They blitz on every play," Mumford said of the Tigers' defense. "When a team does that, you're going to get nailed some but you also will have a chance to make some plays."

The Indians lead the all-time series with the Tigers 5-1 and Southeast has won the past four meetings. Mumford doesn't really know what to make of that but he hopes it continues.

"We've had good success against Tennessee State. I don't really know why," he said. "But in years past it might have looked like they were kind of fading at the end. This year it looks like they're finishing strong. So it's going to be a tough game."

TSU beat Tennessee Tech two weeks ago and narrowly missed an upset of Murray State last Saturday, falling 13-7.

Tennessee State at SEMO

Probable Starters

SEMO Offense

TE - Mitch Fryer 6-2 240 Jr.

LT - Ian Walters 6-3 280 So.

LG - Chad King 6-3 275 So.

C - Chris Kiefer 6-3 270 So.

RG - Jessie Eaton 6-3 320 Jr.

RT - Carlos DeJesus 6-3 300 Jr.

WR - Leslie Weaver 5-10 190 Fr.

WR - Dante Bryant 6-1 190 Jr.

QB - Justin Martini 6-1 205 Sr.

FB - Britt Mirgaux 6-1 228 Jr.

TB - Aaron Layne 6-0 195 Sr.

PK - Eric Warren 5-7 190 Sr.

SEMO Defense

DL - Angel Rubio 6-3 290 Sr.

DL - Troy Baglio 6-1 280 Jr.

DL - Damon Hendrick 6-5 260 Sr.

DL - Marcus McClellan 6-3 250 Jr.

LB - Chris Justice 6-2 235 So.

LB - Gabe Jenkins 6-0 230 Jr.

LB - Steve Ledbetter 6-1 230 Sr.

CB - Fred Hambrick 5-10 180 Jr.

CB - Willie Davis 5-11 190 Sr.

FS - John Smith 6-1 190 So.

SS - Ronnie Smith 5-9 195 Sr.

P - Justin Terrill 6-2 185 Sr.

TSU Defense

DL - Bennie Zeigler 6-3 225 So.

DL - Eric McCray 6-4 295 Jr.

DL - Lamont Ford 6-2 280 Fr.

DL - Jamil Graham 6-5 265 So.

DL - Walter Reese 6-1, 200 Fr

LB - Armand Williams 6-2 235 Jr.

LB - Brent Sterling 6-0 225 So.

CB - Ligarius Jennings 5-10 195 Fr.

CB - Jarrick Hillery 6-0 200 Jr.

FS - Kippie Cork 6-1 180 Jr.

SS - Darrell Hinton 6-0 175 Jr.

P - Ashley Johnson 6-0 215 Fr.

TSU Offense

TE - Corey Sullivan 6-3 190 So.

LT - Bennie Anderson 6-5 305 So.

LG - Isiah Heyward 6-4 280 Fr.

C - Ike Boone 6-1 275 So.

RG - Shawn Thompson 6-2 270 Jr.

RT - Raymond Jones 6-3 280 Sr.

WR - Juan Hall 5-8 170 Sr.

WR - Tyrone Butterfield 5-9 190 Jr.

QB - Leon Murray 6-3 195 So.

FB - Kelvin Simmons 5-10 235 Fr.

TB - Calvin Davenport 5-9 185 Jr.

PK - Buck Billings 6-0 205 Jr.