Indians face tough assignment -- EIU

Southeast Missouri State University's football team nearly upset nationally ranked Tennessee State earlier this season despite playing a less than stellar game.

Today, Southeast coach Tim Billings believes it will take nothing less than a nearly flawless performance to knock off another nationally ranked squad.

Eastern Illinois, rated 10th in both NCAA Division I-AA polls, will serve as the opposition for the Indians as they travel to Charleston, Ill., for a 1:30 p.m. Ohio Valley Conference kickoff at O'Brien Stadium.

The Panthers, whose only loss came at the hands of Division I-A San Diego State last Saturday, are 3-1 overall and 2-0 in OVC play. The Indians are 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the league.

"They are strong in every phase of the game," said Billings of the Panthers. "It's going to be a really big challenge for us and we're going to have to play excellent to beat this team. We'll have to play well in all phases of the game."

Billings believes the Panthers are deserving of every accolade that has come their way, including that of consensus preseason OVC favorite. After all, EIU returned many of their key players from last year's squad that finished second in the conference (behind Western Kentucky, which is no longer in the league) and earned a I-AA playoff berth.

"I can see why they are picked to win the conference," Billings said. "They are a total football team."

The Panthers' team statistics took a hit with last Saturday's 40-7 loss to San Diego State -- EIU trailed just 17-7 at halftime -- but they boast some of the top talent in the OVC, led by stellar quarterback Tony Romo.

Last season's OVC Player of the Year, Romo ranks second nationally in passing efficiency. He has completed 69 percent of his attempts (61 of 88) for 784 yards, with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.

EIU alternates tailbacks J.R. Taylor (380 yards) and Andre Raymond (260 yards), who both average at least 5.5 yards per carry.

"Offensively, they've got the best quarterback in the league, probably two of the best running backs, good wide receivers, a big offensive line and two big tight ends," said Billings. "Defensively, they're really strong on the line, their linebackers can run and their cornerbacks can cover. And they're strong in the kicking game."

While Billings gushes about the Panthers, EIU coach Bob Spoo does the same thing about the rapidly improving Indians, who feature one of the OVC's most explosive offenses.

"Southeast Missouri is a much improved team," Spoo said. "They are moving the ball up and down the field. We will need our offense to be productive and control the clock. That will be an important factor to keep SEMO's offense off the field as much as possible."

Spoo is also worried about the Panthers' health situation. He said his squad is extremely banged up, particularly in the secondary as key defensive backs Kourtney Young and John Williams are doubtful for today. Considering Southeast's explosive receiving corps, Spoo knows that could be a problem.

"We are banged up in the secondary," he said. "We've spent time this week evaluating who's going to be ready to play...and who will have to step up in place of someone."

Southeast is also a bit banged up as two defensive starters -- end John Paul Usrey (concussion) and safety Leotis Belcher (sprained ankle) -- will miss today's game. True freshmen Adam Jones and Chaun Tate will start in place of Usrey and Belcher, respectively. Jones had been a starter early in the season and was already playing a lot while Tate had also been seeing significant action off the bench.