INDIANS' COMEBACK RANKS 3RD IN I-AA

Southeast Missouri State University's stunning 34-33 win at Southern Illinois Saturday -- after the Indians trailed 31-0 in the second quarter -- did not set any kind of record for biggest college football comebacks.

But it wasn't very far off.

The Indians' rally from a 31-point deficit ties them for third place on the NCAA Division I-AA all-time list for biggest comeback victories, trailing only a 35-point deficit faced by Nevada against Weber State in 1991 and a 32-point deficit faced by Morehead State against Wichita State in 1986.

In I-A competition -- the NCAA's highest division -- the record for erasing the biggest deficit during a comeback win is 31 points, which has happened twice.

"It was an exciting win and it's something we should really be able to build on," said Southeast coach Tim Billings after the Indians evened their record at 1-1.

But, as thrilling and exhilarating as the triumph was, Billings realizes the Indians don't have much time to celebrate.

That's because Southeast has to get ready to play one of the nation's top I-AA teams in Illinois State. The Redbirds will pay a visit to Houck Stadium Saturday as the Indians open their home schedule with a 6 p.m. kickoff.

"I told our players let's not act like it's your only win. Hopefully it's the first of many," said Billings during his weekly media conference Monday. "Now it's back to the grindstone."

While Saturday's game only counts for one victory, Billings does believe it should provide the Indians with plenty of confidence, not only for the next contest but for the rest of the season.

"The big thing is, we found a way to win the football game. The kids never quit," he said. "I would think we would have a lot more confidence, a lot more than if we had lost. I know our kids are feeling confident about themselves."

Billings, trying to keep things in perspective, laughed when he recalled something that Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer told him while he was a graduate assistant with the Sooners in the mid-1980s.

"He said humility is only seven days away," Billings said. "I had people coming up to me (after the SIU game) telling me I'm a miracle worker. Last week (after a 63-7 loss to Marshall), I was wanting to hide.

"It's not far from the penthouse to the outhouse."

If the Indians are to record consecutive victories, Billings knows they will have to play an exceptional game against an Illinois State team that returned most of its key players from last year's 11-3 squad that advanced to the I-AA national semifinals.

The Redbirds, ranked in the top 10 of every I-AA poll, are 1-1 after Saturday's 52-0 loss at I-A Northern Illinois. They opened the season with a 75-10 win over West Virginia Tech.

"They have great players at every position," said Billings. "It's going to be a great challenge for us, but we're excited to play them. It's our first home game and hopefully we'll have a great crowd.

"To have a great program, we have to not only have university support but also community support. It's the community's program as well as our program."

Illinois State, coached by former Murray State coach Denver Johnson, routed Southeast 55-7 last year in Normal, Ill. Johnson is in his first season with the Redbirds after spending the previous three years with the Racers.

* Billings said that quarterback Rashad West -- who sprained his ankle during the second quarter against SIU and was replaced by Bobby Brune, who led the big comeback -- should be ready to go Saturday.

"Rashad has good motion (with the ankle). He's probable," said Billings, who emphasized that there is no quarterback controversy regarding the Indians' starter. "Rashad is our starter."

Also on the injury front, offensive tackle Mike Green, linebacker Asim Thomas and punter Jason Witczak, who were all hurt against Marshall and missed the SIU game, should be ready for Illinois State.

Defensive tackle James Jennette, who has missed the first two games after suffering a broken hand in preseason practice, is also probable for Saturday.

* After review of the game film, safety Joe Williams was credited with 20 tackles against SIU. He ranks second in the OVC in tackles with an average of 14 per game.

Defensive end Charles Sorter's two sacks against SIU has him tied for the OVC lead. He is fifth in the league in tackles with 11.5 per game.

Brune is third in the OVC in passing efficiency while Curtis Cooper is second in punt returns, averaging 19.4 yards on five returns.

* The Indians' pass-oriented offense is certainly spreading the ball around through two games as 12 Southeast players have caught passes.

Leslie Weaver and Corey Chester lead the way with seven receptions each while Cooper has six. Weaver is averaging a whopping 27.4 yards per catch.

Center Jonathan Jenson even has a reception as he caught a pass that was tipped at the line for a five-yard gain against SIU.

* The OVC is off to a strong start as the eight teams have a combined 9-3 record. Included in that total is a 4-0 mark against squads from the Gateway Conference, which is generally regarded as one of the nation's top I-AA leagues.

Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois have both beaten Indiana State while Southeast and Murray State have both beaten SIU, although the Sycamores and Salukis perennially finish toward the bottom of the Gateway pack.