Indians discover Simpson won't be eligible

Southeast Missouri State University's football team already knew its receiving corps would face a major challenge this year without record-setting Willie Ponder, who completed his eligibility last season.

But the Indians recently learned that Tarik Simpson, another of last year's top wide receivers, has also -- but unexpectedly -- finished his eligibility.

Simpson, who transferred from Marshall in 2000 and has played for the Indians the past three seasons, has used up his eligibility clock based on NCAA guidelines that stipulate an athlete basically has five years to complete his four seasons of eligibility from the time he or she enrolls in school, except for some injury cases, when a sixth year can be granted.

Simpson enrolled at Marshall in 1998, although he was academically ineligible to play football. He then redshirted at Marshall in 1999 before transferring to Southeast, meaning last year was his fifth in school.

"His clock caught him," said Southeast assistant head coach Kip Shaw, who works with the Indians' wide receivers. "It's disappointing for Tarik."

While a tough blow for Simpson, it also hits the Indians' receiving group hard. Simpson, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, was third on the team last season with 36 receptions. His per-catch average of 15.9 yards was second to Ponder among players with more than six receptions and his five touchdowns were second to Ponder among all wide receivers.

"It's a big blow for us," Shaw said. "We've got to have some young kids step up but we have a couple of kids who can do it."

Returning receivers

The Indians return wide receivers Chris NesSmith, who was second on the squad last year with 38 catches and scored six touchdowns; Bill Coleman, who was fourth with 32 receptions and scored three TDs; Jamel Oliver, who came on late to catch six passes for a 16.7-yard average and scored two TDs as a true freshman; walkon Brandon Amick from Scott City, who had three receptions for a 21.7-yard average; and T.J. Milcic, who caught a pair of two-point conversion passes.

Also returning are tight ends Ray Goodson (17 receptions, three TDs), Graham Goodfield (seven receptions) and Chuck McElroy (five receptions, one TD). In addition, returning tailback Corey Kinsey caught 17 passes.

Several first-year wide receivers will battle for playing time when practice begins early next month, led by Anthony Gilliam, a transfer from Texas Christian.

"We have high hopes for Anthony, but he hasn't played in a couple of years," Shaw said. "He has to work hard and get the rust off. If he does, he should really help us."Defensive line bolstered

The Indians have bolstered their defensive line for this year with the addition of 6-6, 315-pound Kansas transfer Brock Teddleton.

Teddleton, a Herculaneum High School product who will have just one season of eligibility at Southeast, had 17 tackles for Kansas last year, including six for loss. He is a former junior-college All-American at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas.