Indians failed to capitalize on atmosphere at Houck

I would like to thank everyone who attended Saturday night's game with Southern Illinois. We had a record crowd of 11,100, tailgating, national television coverage and just tremendous excitement at Houck Stadium.

Thanks to you, we created the atmosphere we have worked so hard to provide. Unfortunately, SIU played very well and our team did not. The result was a 28-7 win by the Salukis and a lot of hard work ahead for our football team.

Hang in there with us. Our team is working hard and I know we have the players who now must develop into a team. We have the pieces to the puzzle, we just have to put the puzzle together.

We have been plagued by a lot of mistakes and mental errors. We have to correct the errors and feed off each other. The offense has to feed off big plays and stands by the defense, and the defense has to feed off touchdown drives by the offense.

In the third quarter Saturday night, we had a great drive that resulted in a first-and-goal at the 2-yard line, but we didn't get the ball in the end zone in four plays and turned the ball over at the 3-yard line.

SIU was still backed up and faced a tough third down play deep in its own territory, but the Salukis came up with a big pass play that got them out near midfield and eventually drove in for a touchdown.

Had we scored, we would have had the momentum and been down by only a touchdown. If we hold them on that key third down play they have to punt the ball to us and we have good field position and momentum.

It didn't happen Saturday night, but we still have 10 games left on the schedule and we have two more games prior to the start of the Ohio Valley Conference season.

Arkansas State next

This Saturday night we play at Division I-A Arkansas State. They will be the toughest team we will play this season, so we have our work cut out for us.

I'm really not worried about Arkansas State, though. I'm concerned with our football team. If we improve and play up to our capabilities, we will have a chance. If we don't, it will be a long bus ride home from Jonesboro.

Our players are working hard and they still have confidence. We just have to make plays and eliminate the errors that are killing us.

I've had a lot of people call and tell me how good the game looked on television. That was great exposure for our university and you were a part of it.

Following the game at Arkansas State, we come back to Houck Stadium for the Family Weekend game with Southwest Missouri State on Sept. 20. It will be another great weekend with tailgating and a lot of special festivities. Health Facilities Rehab Service is providing free hot dogs and beverages for all students and their parents in a large tent just south of Houck Field House.

This Saturday, though, we face a hostile environment on homecoming at Arkansas State. It isn't that far to Jonesboro, so I hope some of you can make the trip to cheer us on.

We have two games to get ready for the OVC season and we have to show improvement beginning this Saturday against a team that almost beat Texas A&M on the road two weeks ago.

Again, thanks for coming to the SIU game. We will continue to work hard to provide the type of team you want us to be.

Tim Billings is the head football coach at Southeast Missouri State University.