INDIANS CONCENTRATE ON EXECUTION

After five days of full-squad practices -- including two days in full pads -- Southeast Missouri State University football coach Tim Billings is pleased with the progress the Indians are making during their preseason camp.

"I'm really excited about what's been going on so far. I feel good where we're at," said Billings, the Indians' second-year head man. "We're in pretty good condition and I've said all along that we're stronger and we've got better athletes this year. We've got a lot more athletes. There's no comparison to last year.

"We're way ahead offensively and defensively from where we were a year ago, but we're still young and we're trying to take it slow so we learn what we need to do. We have a lot to learn."

Billings said the Indians' focus through the early practices has been on teaching and execution.

"There's a lot of teaching going on, which is an important thing with such a young team," he said. "Execution is a big, big part of our emphasis. We're better athletically, but to be a better football team we have to execute better in all phases of the game. That was a problem for us last year.

"Having better athletes on the field, guys who are bigger and stronger, those things are great, but they don't help you in executing. That's the piece of the puzzle we have to put together. Whether we're inexperienced or not, that will make us a better football team."

Billings said he is not a big believer in too much all-out hitting during the preseason, although the Indians will have two scrimmages this week, one Wednesday and one Saturday. Those will probably be Southeast's only true scrimmages until the season opener Sept. 1 at Division I-A Eastern Michigan.

"We don't want to beat em up," he said. "We're trying to get our best players on the field on Saturdays (during the regular season)."

So far, the Indians have came away from their earlier workouts relatively healthy.

"We have some kids that are banged up, which always happens," Billings said. "But we really haven't had any injuries yet."

Two projected starters who both were regulars last year have missed all of the practices so far because they are still recovering from offseason surgery: defensive end Ryan Roth (foot) and cornerback Demar Winston (shoulder). Both are doubtful to be ready for the season opener and Roth could miss several games.

* Former Southeast kicker and punter Jason Witczak experienced quite a professional debut Saturday night.

A free agent trying to earn a spot with the Tennessee Titans, Witczak made a touchdown-saving tackle after kicking off during the second half of a 27-24 win over the Chicago Bears.

As a result of his play, Witczak received a game ball from Titans coach Jeff Fisher.

"I don't remember giving a game ball following a preseason game, but I gave it to Jason Witczak for the tackle off the kickoff," Fisher told the Nashville Tennessean. "That was a great tackle. He works hard and has had a great camp so far."

Witczak, who earned Division I-AA All-American honors as a punter for the Indians last year, kicked an extra point for the Titans against the Bears.

* Eastern Illinois is the only Ohio Valley Conference team ranked in the Sports Network Division I-AA preseason football poll that was released Monday.

The Panthers, the preseason OVC favorites, are rated No. 11.